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The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran

The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran. 444 Days in Captivity. Background of the Shah . First came to power during WWII Deposed in the late forties Reinstalled by a CIA-led coup in 1953 approved by the Eisenhower administration. The “White Revolution”.

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The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran

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  1. The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran 444 Days in Captivity

  2. Background of the Shah • First came to power during WWII • Deposed in the late forties • Reinstalled by a CIA-led coup in 1953 approved by the Eisenhower administration

  3. The “White Revolution” • Divested the clergy of their vast landholdings • Declared new rights for women • Right to vote • Right to attend university • Dramatically increased urbanization and industrialization • Exiles the Ayatollah Khomeini after he criticizes the Shah

  4. Westernize or Bust! • Most Iranians did not want to abandon their rich heritage for Western Ways • Found inspiration in the sermons of Muslim leaders who denounced the material West • The Shah maintained control with harsh repression and brutality • SAVAK

  5. Allah Hu Akbar, Marg Bar Shah! • Demonstrations increased demanding the shah be deposed • Demonstrators demanded the return of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini • The country was out of control

  6. Exit the Shah! • Offers the premiership to Dr. Shahpur Bahktiar • Leaves the country January 16, 1979 • The Ayatollah was invited back • Tens of thousands of demonstrators demanded the return of an Islamic state. • Dr. Bahktiar leaves

  7. Islamic State Returns • Enemies of the Islamic Revolution are tried and executed • All political parties and organizations are banned • Independent and non-Islamic newspapers are closed. • Banks and Industries are Nationalized.

  8. Iranian Revolution Escalates • US interests in the Persian Gulf are threatened. • No access to Iranian Oil • Cancellation of $7 billion of uncompleted arms contracts • Anti American sentiment runs high.

  9. “Marg Bar Amrika!” • Sunday, November 4, 1979 the US Embassy in Teheran is stormed • Sixty-six hostages taken • http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/peopleevents/e_hostage.html

  10. Oh Canada! • Six Americans seek refuge at the Canadian Embassy • Tense moments • Ottawa and Canadian Embassy prepare to evacuate

  11. Iran’s Hostage Demands • Return the Shah for trial • Return the Shah’s wealth to the people of Iran • Admission of guilt by the US • An apology and promise to stay out of Iran’s affairs.

  12. President Carter’s Response • Refused to send the Shah back • Froze all Iranian Government financial assets • Forbade American companies from buying Iranian oil • 13 hostages freed

  13. U.S. Reaction to Hostage Crisis • Demonstrations at the Iranian Embassy in the US • Record sales of Iranian flags, which were then burned • Iranian Americans were harassed

  14. Renewed Sense of Patriotism • CBS anchor Walter Cronkite • http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/videoplayer/newVid/framesource_old.html?clip=/media/2001/01/19/video265570.rm • Hostages became a national obsession • Penelope Laingen and the yellow ribbon

  15. America’s Frustration Grows • On April 7, President Carter announces the severing of diplomatic relations with Iran • Complete economic embargo • Inventory of financial claims against Iran to be paid from Iranian assets in the U.S. • All Iranian diplomats are told to leave the country in 24 hours.

  16. Operation Eagle Claw • April 24, 1980 • 8 helicoptors from the Nimitz were to rendezvous with 6 transports at Desert One • Then fly to Desert Two to drive to Teheran where the CIA had arranged for several Iranians to help storm the embassy

  17. U.S. Aircraft Carrier Nimitz

  18. Mission Aborted! • The first mission for the newly formed Delta Force • Pilots did not have experience, flying at night, flying low, and in sand storms. • The sandstorm disabled three helicoptors, one collided with a transport and both burst into flames killing eight Americans

  19. President Carter Accepts Full Blame • Little hope for a second attempt because the hostages were dispersed to various locations • http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/peopleevents/e_hostage.html • Carter’s popularity sinks • The Shah dies in July

  20. “On Wings of Eagles” • Ross Perot’s hires Col. Bull Simon to rescue two EDS employees in an Iran prison. • Successful mission • Ken Follett novel

  21. 1980 Presidential Campaign • The Reagan-Bush team realized that the hostage issue would determine the election • Americans needed to hear stirring phrases of national purpose, and believe in the future. • Wins by a landslide, Nov. 4 • Started selling arms to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua, using the money to pay Iran ransom

  22. The Hostages are Freed • Carter released $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets the morning of the inauguration • The hostages board planes • http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/peopleevents/e_hostage.html

  23. Where Are They Now? • The Shah’s son is attended school at USC • Trained as a pilot in the US Airforce • Acknowledges some of the evil that his father was accused of • Is gathering support to return to Iran

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