The Carter Years | 444 Days | 4

A closer look into the events leading up to the Iran hostage crisis of 1979 reveals a complex interplay of internal political dynamics and external influences that culminated in a 444-day standoff.

Iran's Political Climate Before Hostage Crisis

U.S. Support For Shah's Regime Fueled Iranian Resentment

The United States' relationship with Iran was anchored in strategic interests and mutual benefits dating back to the end of World War II. Iran was not only an important oil trading partner but also a counterbalance to Soviet expansion. However, U.S. support for the Shah's regime bred deep resentment among Iranians. The Shah was perceived as a Western puppet, an image that was compounded by fears that the U.S. would orchestrate his return to power after the revolution.

Dissidents, Including Religious Groups, Communists, and Liberals, Unite to Overthrow the Shah In 1979

In 1979, a coalition of dissidents, including religious leaders, communists, and liberals, unified under a common detestation of the Shah to overthrow him. Mark Bowden addresses common misconceptions about the era, pointing out that while the Shah’s secret police, SAVAK, was rumored to be controlled by the CIA, the lack of accurate CIA intelligence on the impending revolution suggests they were not as involved in Iran as many believed.

Unstable Provisional Government With Factions Vying For Power After Revolution

Following the Shah's departure, an interim government was formed to oversee the country until a constitutional convention could be convened. However, this provisional authority was anything but stable as various opposition groups, each with distinct visions for Iran's future, jostled for control.

U.S. Embassy in Tehran and Initial Student Protest

U.S. Aimed to Maintain Ties With Iran Post-Shah Overthrow

Post-revolution, under President Jimmy Carter, the United States sought to maintain diplomatic relations with Iran, operating on the embassy premises in hopes that the evolving Iranian government would continue to recognize and uphold bilateral ties.

Protesters Entered Embassy Grounds, Removed by Iranian Authorities

Initial demonstrations erupted outside the U.S. embass ...

During the Iranian hostage crisis, the Carter Administration grappled with an evolving situation that ultimately led to diplomatic struggles and a tragic military operation.

U.S. Government's Initial Reaction and Negotiation Attempts

The Carter Administration initially believed that the Iranian provisional government would handle the situation and remove the students who had taken over the U.S. embassy. As it turned into a clear hostage scenario, efforts were made to resolve the issue peacefully.

Hostages Held; Administration Sought Negotiator Amid Provisional Government Collapse

With the hostages held and the provisional government’s subsequent collapse, identifying a suitable partner for negotiations became increasingly complex. The Carter administration attempted to initiate dialogue by dispatching former Attorney General Ramsey Clark and another official, but the efforts were met with failure given the challenge of finding an angle to engage with Iran's religious faction, with whom the United States lacked established ties.

Diplomatic Efforts by Administration Fail

These early attempts to begin talks did not bear fruit, leaving the U.S. in a precarious position of heightened diplomatic tension and an urgent need to find new avenues to secure the safe return of the hostages.

The Failed Hostage Rescue Attempt

In the face of unfruitful diplomatic efforts, a risky military operation was devised to rescue the hostages.

U.S. Planned Risky Operation to Rescue Hostages, Refueling Helicopters In Desert Before Tehran

The Carter Administration planned a complex rescue mission, which involved helicopters landing in a desert locati ...

The hostage crisis in Iran became a drawn-out media spectacle and contributed significantly to the eventual downfall of President Jimmy Carter's administration.

The Hostage Crisis as a Media Event

Mark Bowden encapsulates the hostage crisis as a narrative fitting for television coverage, with dramatic images and events in Iran captivating American audiences.

Dramatic Images and Events in Iran Captivated Americans Watching the Crisis on Tv

The American Embassy in Tehran was surrounded by large crowds chanting "death to America," and there were events where the hostages were paraded and subjected to press conferences held by the students who took them. These images and events were seen as a national humiliation for the United States, creating the perception of American impotence as the public witnessed their government's struggle to respond effectively.

Crisis Becomes Tv Story: Affiliates Follow Community Hostage Stories

The crisis's prime suitability for television coverage meant that every major city in the U.S. with television affiliates followed this crisis closely. Local stations could interview the families of hostages, who hailed from various parts of the country, and viewers were glued to their televisions, captivated by the drama and the possibility of significant developments.

The Crisis's Contribution to Carter's Electoral Defeat

The inability of the Carter administration to swiftly resolve the crisis was perceived as a weakness that severely impacted Carter's presidency and campaign.

Carter Administration's Failure to Resolve Crisis Signaled American Weakness

The American public was deeply frustrated by Carter's inability to secure the hostages' release, making the crisis a crippling issue for his re-election campaign. The prolon ...

Years after a critical international incident, the individuals involved reflect on their actions with contrasting views, ranging from regret to continued pride.

Reflections of a Former Hostage Taker

Hostage Mistake Spiraled Out of Control, Says Ibrahim Al-gharzadeh

Ibrahim al-Gharzadeh, who has since become a dissident in Iran, believes that the takeover of the U.S. embassy was a significant error that escalated beyond the original intent. He compares the situation to student protests, like those at Columbia University, intending it to be a brief sit-in lasting just a few days.

Crisis Exploited by Religious Factions to Gain Power and Remove Opponents

Al-Gharzadeh also sheds light on how the mullahs exploited the embassy takeover as a political tool. They leveraged the situation to claim power by perpetuating the myth that the U.S. embassy was conspiring to return the Shah to power. Religious leaders utilized the propaganda to discredit and eliminate secular politicians open to engaging with the West. Early in the embassy's occupation, students organized press conferences displaying seized documents to paint various Iranian politicians not aligned with the mullahs as traitors to the revolution, resulting in prison terms or executions for many.

The Hostage-Taker Spokesperson's Continued Pride

Niloufar Ebtekar, "Mother Mary", Remained Proud and Continued to Promote the Regime's Propaganda

Niloufar Ebtekar, known as "Mother Mary," was the English-speaking face of the hostage-takers. Raised in Philadelphia during her early life, her fluency in American-accented English was largely due to her father's studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Despite the years that hav ...