1. IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS
444 DAY cRISIS

2. Background
1953: The CIA secretly helped topple Iran’s prime minister and put Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on the throne.
Why? The Cold War between the US and USSR was at it’s height and the Shah was a friend (ally) to the US
Was he a good ruler?
He created a one-party system, became the head of the party, and protected that with his secret police.
He created a modern economy which created a middle class
Gave women the right to vote and other basic rights

3. What happened that made the Shah flee Iran?
Many conservative Muslims where not happy with the rights he gave women and other reforms
They were led by an exiled cleric named Khomeini
Middle class wanted greater political freedom
The Shah and his wife fled Iran in January 1979
Khomeini assumed control and became the Ayatollah (Autocratic religious and political leader)
Iran became an Islamic Theocratic regime (church and state combined)

4. What happened then?
Enforced the new rule with a roving band of enforcers called the Revolutionary Guards
Took away the rights of women
Many who had helped in the revolution for political freedom faced less freedom
Opposition was imprisoned and tortured as they had been under the Shah
Told the people the US was the “Great Satan” and an “enemy of Islam.”

5. Hostages taken… Intelligence lost

6. The Hostage Crisis
In 1979 the Shah came to the US to seek treatment for Cancer
The Iranians wanted him back – President Carter and the US refused
Led by Ayatollah Khomeini Iran becomes an Islamic Theocracy
November 4, 1979 students and other young Iranians seized the US Embassy in Tehran and 66 hostages
52 Hostages will be held for 444 days
Pres. Carter will attempt a rescue, in April 1980, but it failed
Iran’s contempt for Carter will last until the new President is inaugurated.

8. US and Iran strained relations
Iran did not get the Shah (died 1980) but kept the hostages until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan in 1981-
The US broke off diplomatic relations.
President Obama will restore some diplomatic ties. President Trump has since replaced some of those sanctions.
President Hasan Rouhani and Ali Hosseini Khamenei rule today.