The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran

1
The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran

• 444 Days in Captivity

2
Background of the Shah

• First came to power during WWII
• Deposed in the late forties
• Reinstalled by a CIA-led coup in 1953 approved by
  the Eisenhower administration

3
The White Revolution

• Divested the clergy of their vast landholdings
• Declared new rights for women
• Right to vote
• Right to attend university
• Dramatically increased urbanization and
  industrialization
• Exiles the Ayatollah Khomeini after he criticizes
  the Shah

4
Westernize or Bust!

• Most Iranians did not want to abandon their rich
  heritage for Western Ways
• Found inspiration in the sermons of Muslim
  leaders who denounced the material West
• The Shah maintained control with harsh repression
  and brutality

5
Allah Hu Akbar, Marg Bar Shah!

• Demonstrations increased demanding the shah be
  deposed
• Demonstrators demanded the return of the exiled
  Ayatollah Khomeini
• The country was out of control

6
Exit the Shah!

• Offers the premiership to Dr. Shahpur Bahktiar
• Leaves the country January 16, 1979
• The Ayatollah was invited back
• Tens of thousands of demonstrators demanded the
  return of an Islamic state.
• Dr. Bahktiar leaves

7
Islamic State Returns

• Enemies of the Islamic Revolution are tried and
  executed
• All political parties and organizations are
  banned
• Independent and non-Islamic newspapers are
  closed.
• Banks and Industries are Nationalized.

8
Iranian Revolution Escalates

• US interests in the Persian Gulf are threatened.
• No access to Iranian Oil
• Cancellation of 7 billion of uncompleted arms
  contracts
• Anti American sentiment runs high.

9
Marg Bar Amrika!

• Sunday, November 4, 1979 the US Embassy in
  Teheran is stormed
• Sixty-six hostages taken

10
Oh Canada!

• Six Americans seek refuge at the Canadian Embassy
• Tense moments
• Ottawa and Canadian Embassy prepare to evacuate

11
Irans Hostage Demands

• Return the Shah for trial
• Return the Shahs wealth to the people of Iran
• Admission of guilt by the US
• An apology and promise to stay out of Irans
  affairs.

12
President Carters Response

• Refused to send the Shah back
• Froze all Iranian Government financial assets
• Forbade American companies from buying Iranian
  oil
• 13 hostages freed

13
U.S. Reaction to Hostage Crisis

• Demonstrations at the Iranian Embassy in the US
• Record sales of Iranian flags, which were then
  burned
• Iranian Americans were harassed

14
Renewed Sense of Patriotism

• Hostages became a national obsession
• Penelope Laingen and the yellow ribbon

15
Americas Frustration Grows

• On April 7, President Carter announces the
  severing of diplomatic relations with Iran
• Complete economic embargo
• Inventory of financial claims against Iran to be
  paid from Iranian assets in the U.S.
• All Iranian diplomats are told to leave the
  country in 24 hours.

16
Operation Eagle Claw

• April 24, 1980
• 8 helicoptors from the Nimitz were to rendezvous
  with 6 transports at Desert One
• Then fly to Desert Two to drive to Teheran where
  the CIA had arranged for several Iranians to help
  storm the embassy

17
Mission Aborted!

• The first mission for the newly formed Delta
  Force
• Pilots did not have experience, flying at night,
  flying low, and in sand storms.
• The sandstorm disabled three helicoptors, one
  collided with a transport and both burst into
  flames killing eight Americans

18
President Carter Accepts Full Blame

• Little hope for a second attempt because the
  hostages were dispersed to various locations
• Carters popularity sinks
• The Shah dies in July

19
On Wings of Eagles

• Ross Perots hires Col. Bull Simon to rescue two
  EDS employees in an Iran prison.
• Successful mission
• Ken Follett novel

20
1980 Presidential Campaign

• The Reagan-Bush team realized that the hostage
  issue would determine the election
• Americans needed to hear stirring phrases of
  national purpose, and believe in the future.
• Wins by a landslide, Nov. 4

21
The Hostages are Freed

• Carter released 8 billion in frozen Iranian
  assets the morning of the inauguration
• Hostages freed in moments after Reagan
  inaugurated

22
Where Are They Now?

• The Shahs son is attended school at USC
• Trained as a pilot in the US Air Force
• Acknowledges some of the evil that his father was
  accused of
• Is gathering support to return to Iran