Transcript Iranian Hostage Crisis

Iranian Hostage Crisis
Matin & Mylor
Background
• An Iranian Islamic revolution took place, overthrowing
the Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.
• Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq was
democratically elected, but a CIA operation “Ajax”,
removed him from power, enflaming the Iranian people.
The operation effectively replaced a parliamentary
democracy with an absolute monarchy.
• Around 6:30am on November 4th 1979, between 300 and
500 selected students known as the Muslim Student
Followers of the Imam’s Line, took over the American
Embassy, an action which was supported by the
Ayatollah.
Native Evaluation (Iranian perspective)
• The Iranians, both Theocracy and the leftist groups,
supported the taking over of the American Embassy and
taking hostages. They saw this as an act against
“American Imperialism” which had taken out the
democratically elected Mossadegh.
• Iran released 13 women and African American’s in the
beginning of the hostage crisis because they were an
“oppressed minority”.
• In exchange for the hostages, the Iranians demanded:
– the Shah be returned to Iran to be put on trial and executed.
– An apology from the US for the overthrow of the Prime Minister
Mossadegh.
– Unfreeze their assets in the US.
US Perspective
• The hostage crisis brought about a surge of patriotism and brought
them closer than they had been ever since the blow the Vietnam war
caused.
• In the news, the days that passed during the crisis, were announced
daily.
• We had previously taken out the Prime minister Mossadegh as we
had suspected his action of nationalizing oil as being a sign that he
may be communist. Iran was a place which had great tactical
advantages in the region as it contained both oil, was in the heart of
the middle east, and was close to the Soviet Union.
• The US feared the Strait of Hormuz, after the revolution would fall
into the wrong hands, prompting a Soviet influence over the area.
This Strait controlled the majority of the oil which was being
transported in the region and could hold huge political and economic
advantages to whoever possessed it.
Soviet Perspective
• The Soviet Union saw Iran as a possible entry
way to the spread of communism in the oil rich
region of the middle east.
• The Soviet Union didn’t have many warm-water
ports, that they could use year round. The trade
between Iran and the Soviet Union had
increased significantly over the years, the Strait
of Hormuz, would also provide Soviets with
leverage over the US.
• They were hoping the revolution which was
against the US would be supportive of the Soviet
Union.
How were the issues resolved?
• President Carter, attempted to apply economic pressure by halting
oil imports from Iran and freezing Iranian assets in the United
States. He also began several diplomatic initiatives to free the
hostages.
• On April 24th, 1980, the United States, attempted a rescue mission
that failed. Three of the eight helicopters which were sent in, were
damaged in a sand storm and the operation was aborted. Eight
people were killed during the evacuation.
• Once the king Egypt died, and Iran was invaded by Iraq, the Iranians
became more receptive to negotiations on freeing the hostages.
• On January 20th, 1981, the day of President Reagan’s inauguration,
the US released $8 billion in US assets and the hostages were freed
after being held for 444 days. As part of the agreement, Iran was
granted immunity for any lawsuits which might persue them
afterwards.
Who won? Who lost?
• The United States was finally able to get back its
hostages after 444, however, its image as a
power may have been damaged as it not being
able to retrieve its citizens from Iran may be
seen as a weakness in the eyes of the world
during the cold war crisis. The US came out of
Iran with no remaining influence. In contrast, the
Soviet Union still had some influence.
• Iran was able to release its 8 billion dollars in
assets in the US, however it did not get the
former Shah and thus they did not get everything
they had wanted.