Iranian Hostage Crisis

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Iranian Hostage Crisis

• Mrs. Dilmore
• 4/17/08

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• In 1979, Iranian students raided the American
  Embassy taking over 70 hostages. These hostages
  were held for 444 days.

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Iran

• During the 1970s, Iran was on of the strongest
  allies of the U.S. in the Persian Gulf area.
• The current ruler, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi,
  used the U.S. to build up a powerful military
  force.
• Many Iranians complained about corruption in the
  government. Others complained about the Western
  influence to the country and they felt it
  weakened traditional Muslim values.

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FundamentalistsPeople who believe in strict
obedience to religious laws

• Forced the shah (the ruler) to flee Iran.
• The new ruler, Muslim leader Ayatollah Khomeini,
  was hostile to the United States because of its
  support.

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Held Hostage

• November 1979, Iranian students stormed the
  American embassy in Tehran.
• 52 Americans were held hostage

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Attempt

• A daring desert rescue attempt ended in tragedy.
• 8 American soldiers lost their lives while
  attempting to rescue the hostages.

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Bibliography

• http//www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/documents/hostag
  es.phtml
• http//rescueattempt.tripod.com/id1.html