Iranian Hostage Crisis Isabelle 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 Begins Start 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 Regime Khomeini’s Ideology and Effects  Leader from  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 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 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 hostages remained  Hostages held for 444 days

Khomeini’s Plot Iranian 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 Action Operation Eagle Claw (Desert One)  With no sign of release, Carter approved a high-risk rescue operation on April 11, 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 Crisis  Reagan 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