Iranian Hostage CrisisIsabelle Cecere, Andrew Aguilar, Kelly Ashnault, Jimmy Conte

Leading Up To The Crisis

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran

1908 Oil discovered in Iran

PRE WWII GB was major influence

POST WWII Soviet Union Influence

1953: US begins to fear Soviet ties with Mohammed Mossadegh, Iranian Prime Minister

CIA Program “Operation Ajax” developed to oust elected prime minister and give power to Shah (monarch), Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Background Information: Shah of Iran

The Shah of Iran Began reign in 1941

Gained U.S. support after preventing the nationalization of Iran’s Oil industry

In return for oil, American provided the Shah with economic and military aid

Refused to grant political freedom, and was resented by many of his people

Strong political opposition (ex. Nationalist Ruhollah Khomeini)

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran

Leading Up To The Crisis

Iran Under The Shah Prosperous Iran due to U.S. aid

and oil

BUT

Growing resentment of westernization and uneven distribution of wealth

Political oppression

First uprising in 1963: Confrontation of the Islamic Clergy Lead by Ruhollah Khomeini

Ruhollah Khomeini, Iranian Revolutionary

Iranian Revolution BeginsStart of the Iranian Revolution

1963 uprising put down

Leader exiled

Shah under pressure due to strong opposition to gov.

SAVAK (police) crack down on dissenters

Protests in religious city, Qom, calling Shah’s regime “anti-Islamic”

Shah Fled to Egypt January 16, 1979 and Khomeini returns

A New RegimeKhomeini’s Ideology and

Effects Leader from 1979-1989

Khomeini was deeply religious Studied the Islamic Religion (Shiite Branch)

Believed in an Islamic Revolution around the world

Hated America (because of democracy and freedom)

Devastating effects on Iran: Shia Islamic law lead to the inferiority of women, Iranian Revolution lead to war between Iraq and Iran, began the belief in Islamic jihad that many terrorist groups follow today.

Carter’s Reaction to the Revolution “President Carter inherited

an impossible situation– and he and his advisor’s made the worst of it.” Gaddis Smith

There were two options: (Aggressive Approach)

Have the Shah brutally suppress the revolution

(Cautious Approach) Reach out to the oppositionists to help a smooth transition to a new government

*Carter did neither

Hostages Taken

The Start of the Crisis Shah of Iran was severely ill with

cancer Wanted admittance into the U.S.

Carter reluctant at first but eventually gave in- the Shah was admitted into the U.S. in October

On November 4, 1979 students captured the embassy and took approximately 60-70 Americans taken hostage Motive originally unclear, a similar

event occurred 9 months earlier, but only lasted hours (Khomeini ordered hostages to be released)

Details of the Crisis

Iranian Hostage Crisis Roughly 300-500 students, called

“Imam’s Disciples”

In Teheran, Iran: An attack on the embassy in Iran

Those captured were both citizens and diplomats

Those released initially: Women and African Americans (and one suffering from illness)

Approximately 51-53 hostages remained

Hostages held for 444 days

Khomeini’s PlotIranian Hostage Crisis

Cont. Claimed that he had no

involvement in the affair, but refused to take action

Instead of releasing these Americans Khomeini saw crisis as a way to gain power

Had extreme anti-American sentiments

The hostage situation escalated until demands were finally made

The Iranian Hostage Crisis Demands

Demands of Imam’s Disciples

1. Return Shah to Iran for Trial

2. Return billions of dollars that the Shah had allegedly stolen from Iranian people

3. An apology from the U.S. for involvement in the Iranian government (including coup in 1953)

4. A promise to not get involved in Iranian Affairs in the future

Carter’s Response Considered the return of the hostage’s his

personal responsibility

Decided military action was too risky

Build pressure through economic sanctions Canceled Oil imports from Iran (Nov. 11

Carter embargoed Iranian oil) Expelled a number of Iranians from U.S. Froze around $8 million dollars of Iranian

assets in U.S.

The Carter Administration’s plan was to “be patient and persist”

BUT as time went on Americans grew frustrated and demanded stronger action

Carter’s Speech

Carter Takes ActionOperation Eagle Claw

(Desert One) With no sign of release,

Carter approved a high-risk rescue operation on April 11, 1980- Called Operation Eagle Claw or Desert One

Seemed to be doomed for failure Teheran: surrounded by

desert, contained 4 million people, embassy within it HUGE and well guarded

Operation Eagle Claw (Desert One)

Preparations for Operation

Two night process- minimum of 6 helicopters (“helos”) and C-130 cargo aircraft (8 helicopters were prepared)

Under the cloak of night helicopters head towards staging area: one helicopter had to turn around due to operation problems, the other due to a dust storm- MISSION ABORTED

Operation Eagle Claw (Desert One)

The Miscommunication During retreat- one helo was accidentally

given orders to lift off

The storm caused the helo to slam into a C-130, causing an explosion Killed 3 in the chopper and five in the

airplane and injured 3

Aftermath: Iranians found the wreckage and paraded it world-wide

U.S. was humiliated- lead to investigations and congressional hearings

Cyrus Vance, Secretary of State who objected to these plans, resigned in protest

Effect of Hostage Crisis on Political Elections

Reagan vs. Carter

Constant media coverage in the State of the crisis- footage of Iranian mobs, a new television news program, etc.

People felt as though Carter had not been tough enough on foreign policy: he was not a strong candidate for president

Carter hoped that negotiations with Iran that began in September would end by the election- referred to as an “October surprise”

Hostage Negotiations An “October Surprise?”

Iran was more open to negotiations due to: Death of Shah in July Iraqi invasion of Iran (needed

weapons)

Would have helped Carter with the presidential election

Negotiations dragged on and did not end until after the election

Republican Ronald Regan won in a landslide victory

Hostages were released just minutes after Regan’s inauguration on January 20, 1981

Effects of the Iranian Hostage CrisisReagan won the election

Carter’s Administration was perceived to not be tough enough on foreign policy

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. increased (Iran celebrates the embassy take-over as a national holiday): The Iranian Hostage crisis is the basis for U.S.- Iran relations today