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 4 th 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 24 th, 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 20 th, 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.