1. Iran Hostage Crisis

2. Unit Objective
To understand the causes and effects of the Iran Hostage Crisis

3. Trouble in the Middle East
Oil Shortage
-OPEC sold oil for its member nations and decided in 1973 to use
oil as a political and economic weapon—OPEC placed embargo on
oil to the U.S. and other nations that supported Israel
-The embargo lasted only a few months but OPEC raised prices by
70% and then 130%; Later raised prices again (oil went from $3 a
barrel to $30 a barrel between 1973 and 1980)
-Impact: First U.S. fuel shortage since WWII; High gasoline and
home heating oil prices led to inflation and a recession; Led to
smaller more fuel efficient cars and a push for alternative
energy for a while

5. Camp David Accords (1978)

6. Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat was assassinated by extremists in his country for signing the agreement
Egypt has remained peaceful with Israel ever since, but the agreement did not lead to further agreements with other Arab nations as was hoped

7. Jimmy Carter Anwar Sadat

8. Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran was overthrown by group of Muslims led by Ayatollah Khomeini in January 1979

9. Pahlavi was supported by the U.S.

10. Pahlavi was not supported by the Iranian people

11. Revolution
Shah was overthrown and Khomeini established a religious Islamic nation not allied with the U.S.
Similar to Cuba in the 1950s (Cuba had been allied with the U.S. until it was taken over by Castro) but different (Communism not a factor)

12. Iran Hostage Crisis
After fleeing the country, Pahlavi asked to come to the U.S. for medical treatment of an illness—Carter agreed; Iran demanded the Shah’s return so he could be put on trial for acts committed against his people while he ruled—the U.S. refused

13. November 1979:

14. Carter unsuccessfully tried to negotiate for the release of the hostages; Carter authorized a rescue mission in April 1980 that also failed (8 died in helicopter crash after a malfunction); Pahlavi died, so hostage takers said they would not release the hostages as long as Carter was president

15. Impact