1. Iranian Hostage Crisis

2. Iran

3. The Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was the king (Shah) of Iran
Was voted out of office in 1950
A coup (overthrow of the government) led by the U.S. brought him back in 1953

4. Shah Pahlavi The Shah was a great friend of the U.S.
But he was not liked by the people
Iranians would disappear and be killed by the secret police
Street protests would be fired on by military helicopters

5. Reasons for Hating the Shah
Iran was (and is) a conservative, Muslim country but the Shah introduced American culture to Iran, angering many
The Shah was friends with both Israel and America
The Shah wanted to westernize Iran and banned many traditional Muslim practices like women’s headscarves
The

6. The Opposition Ayatollah Khomenei
Had been expelled from Iran but was directing the opposition from Iraq
He was a Muslim cleric (priest) and hated the U.S.
He returned to Iran in 1979 and overthrew the government

7. What is an Embassy?
An embassy is a building where a nation can send representatives
For instance, France has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and there are many French government officials who work there
If you go to an embassy, you are technically in that other country.

8. Embassy Takeover
Students protesting outside the U.S. embassy climbed the walls, took over the embassy and took everyone inside hostage
They were held for 444 days and only released on President Reagan’s 1st day in office

9. America did attempt a rescue: Operation Eagle Claw
One of the planes collided with a helicopter killing 8 in the middle of a dust storm
The US military reforms after this led to the operation that killed Osama bin Laden

10. Since Then…
Iranians have worked against America and Israel in the Middle East
They believe America is the “Great Satan” and is anti-Islam
America has worked to limit Iran’s influence and even fought a naval war with them