1. Iranian Hostage Crisis

2. 1953 1951 – Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh placed oil industry under gov. control Infuriated western nations - owned oil companies in Iran Boycotted oil  Iran economy faltered  US feared they would turn to USSR for aid CIA helped w/ coup to oust Mossadegh, Shah took power

3. The Shah’s Regime US supported Shah w/ political and military assistance for: Ally against communism Iran’s oil Shah increasing unpopular with people Corrupt and dictatorial tactics Secret police tortured thousands, executions w/out trials

4. Revolution January 1979 Muslim religious leader, Ayatollah Ruhollak Khomeini: led rebels to overthrow shah Est. religious state based on strict obedience to Qur’an Ayatollah Khomeini

5. Anti-Americanism Years of support for Shah 1979, exiled Shah received cancer treatment in US Demands for Shah to be returned to Iran for trial

6. Hostage Crisis Nov. 4, 1979 – armed students seized U.S. embassy to Tehran 52 American hostages Demanded: 1.US sends shah back to Iran for trial and execution 2.Return Shah's money to the Iranian People 3.Promise no more U.S. involvement in Iran and apologize for previous involvements Originally, only intended for a short time

7. Carter’s management of Crisis Economic Sanctions Placed Embargo on Iranian Oil Freezes all Iranian assets in U.S. Military Actions – “Operation Eagleclaw” or “Desert One” Failed military operation to retrieve the hostages 8 Marines killed after helicopter malfunctions Hurts Carter’s chance for re- election 1980

9. Hostages Released After months of negotiations, Iran agreed to release the hostages. Demand money to help finance the Iran-Iraq War Hostages released minutes after Reagan's presidential inauguration. Crisis lasted 444 days

10. Effects American Realizations Limits of American Power Limits to Nation’s resources Heightened Iranian-American hostilities Creates a lot of tension between 2 countries Americans realize the hostility towards them present in Middle East.