Former Iran Hostages Recall US Embassy Takeover 30 Years Ago - VOA Story

November 4 is the 30th anniversary of the siezure, by young Iranian militants, of the U.S. embassy in Tehran. Leading up to that event, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had returned to Iran from exile in France, leading an Islamic revolution that forced the Shah of Iran to flee. Fifty-two of the US diplomats seized by the Iranians were held captive for more than a year, most of them at the US embassy.

On November 4, 1979,the United States embassy in Tehran was seized by militants in the name of Iran's new leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. For the next 444 days, it was the scene of captivity for 49 Americans, including embassy.

A celebration in Algiers on November 1st, where Iran's Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan was photographed meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, pushed the situation over the edge.

The U.S. diplomats spent nearly 15 months confined in the embassy, the foreign ministry and other Tehran locations.

In the U.S., Americans hung yellow ribbons to show solidarity, also putting pressure on President Jimmy Carter to act.

Months later, the US mounted a rescue mission. A dust storm turned the operation into a disaster, killing eight servicemen. The mission was aborted.

On January 20, 1981, Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as President of the United States. On the same day the Americans were freed.

30 years later, the United States and Iran are still at odds.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Iran
• Hostage
• Embassy
• Shah
• Tehran

[myNifty350]

I remember this like it were yesterday. Iran released the hostages within hours after Reagan was elected because they new the US had a commander and chief that wasn't about to be fucked with. Just like he stood up to the Soviet Union and ended the Cold War.

[mkl62]

November 4, 1979; the day that 9/11/2001 began. Don't deny it. And before I forget, Mohammed is a pig.

[slLLyhumans]

Thats him ! Ahmajinedad ! I see him .

He is a war criminal and murderer lets go get him !

[Hesam0000]

@SClanahan

Source for IRI deal = hotages released the moment Reagan swore + planeload of arms/parts delivered to Iran and it was allover the news, any clearer source and Reagan/Oliver North would go to prison.

It's like asking for verification that 9/11 was planned by Cheney/Bush/Israel !! How about 1.2 million Muslims massacred in the name of lie, how about oil price going to $147 6 months before Bush leaves office then dropping 2 months before the end for no reason? Best evidence is mind.

[SClanahan]

@Hesam0000 Source your information. Without unbiased evidence, this is just opinion.

[Hesam0000]

With the suggestion of George Bush sr. Reagan made a deal with IRI by which Iran would hold the hostages until his inauguration in exchange for weapons and airplane parts.

Reagan = Bill Clinton = Bush father and son = Dick Cheney = Traitors