Solved case · 1979
Also known as Tehran Hostage Crisis · Occupation of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran
Iran hostage crisis - Iraninan students comes up U.S. embassy in TehranCredit: Unknown authorPublic domainSourceThe short answer
In November 1979, Iranian students seized the U. S. Embassy in Tehran and held American diplomats and staff hostage for 444 days, demanding the return of the exiled Shah, in a crisis that reshaped U. S.
No one's coverage is attached to this file yet.
Know great coverage of this case?
A documentary, a podcast episode, a careful long-form video. Suggest it and an editor will review it before it appears here.
Suggest coverage for Iran Hostage CrisisOn November 4, 1979, members of the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line stormed and occupied the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 66 Americans hostage. The action followed months of upheaval after the Iranian Revolution and was fueled by anger over the Carter administration's decision to admit the exiled Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, into the United States for cancer treatment. The hostage-takers, who received the public backing of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, demanded the Shah be extradited to Iran to stand trial. Six American diplomats evaded capture and hid in the homes of Canadian diplomats before being smuggled out of the country on January 28, 1980, in the covert operation known as the "Canadian Caper."
Of the original 66 hostages, 13 women and African American staff were released in November 1979, and one more hostage, Richard Queen, was freed in July 1980 after developing what was later diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. The remaining 52 hostages were held for the duration of the crisis. According to accounts, hostages reported beatings, theft, prolonged solitary confinement, being bound for extended periods, mock executions, and threats of violence against themselves and their families. Some hostages attempted escape or self-harm during their captivity, and living conditions shifted over time as hostages were moved among the Foreign Ministry, various prisons, and finally the Teymur Bakhtiar mansion in Tehran.
President Jimmy Carter responded with economic pressure, ending oil imports from Iran and freezing an estimated $8 billion in Iranian assets in the United States. A military rescue attempt, Operation Eagle Claw, was launched on April 24, 1980, but failed in the Iranian desert after mechanical and weather-related problems; eight U.S. servicemen were killed in an accident during the operation's abort phase, and one Iranian civilian also died. The failure led to the resignation of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and further damaged Carter's political standing ahead of the 1980 presidential election, which he lost.
The crisis was ultimately resolved through Algerian mediation. In late 1980, the Iranian parliament set conditions for release, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets, and negotiations culminated in the Algiers Accords. The 52 remaining hostages were released on January 20, 1981, minutes after Ronald Reagan's presidential inauguration, ending 444 days of captivity. The Shah had died in Cairo, Egypt, on July 27, 1980, before the crisis concluded. The events significantly damaged U.S.-Iran relations for decades and, within Iran, strengthened Khomeini's political authority and that of theocratic factions opposed to normalizing relations with the West.
Iranian Revolution culminates with the return of Ayatollah Khomeini from exile; the U.S. Embassy is briefly occupied in an earlier incident.
The United States admits the exiled Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, for medical treatment, intensifying anti-American sentiment in Iran.
Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and take 66 Americans hostage.
United States ends oil imports from Iran.
President Carter issues Executive Order 12170 freezing approximately $8 billion in Iranian assets in the U.S.
Hostage-takers release one woman and two African American hostages.
Four more women and six African American hostages are released.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, is attacked and burned by rioters inspired by the Tehran crisis; four embassy personnel and two rioters die.
Six American diplomats who evaded capture are smuggled out of Iran via the Canadian Caper.
Operation Eagle Claw, a U.S. military rescue attempt, fails in the Iranian desert; eight U.S. servicemen and one Iranian civilian are killed.
President Carter publicly explains the failed rescue mission and accepts responsibility.
Hostage Richard Queen is released after being diagnosed with a serious illness later identified as multiple sclerosis.
The Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, dies in Cairo, Egypt.
An aircraft for the planned second rescue attempt, Operation Credible Sport, crashes during a demonstration at Eglin Air Force Base; all aboard survive.
The Iranian parliament votes on conditions for releasing the hostages, delivered to the U.S. via Algerian mediation.
The remaining 52 hostages are released following the signing of the Algiers Accords, minutes after Ronald Reagan's presidential inauguration, ending 444 days of captivity.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
U.S. diplomat held hostage; one of three officials held at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.[3]
African American hostage who was not released with the initial November 1979 group.[3]
Hostage whose mail was reportedly withheld by guards.[3]
U.S. Army medic held hostage who went on a hunger strike.[3]
CIA communications technician held hostage who attempted self-harm during captivity.[3]
Hostage reportedly paraded blindfolded before a crowd outside the embassy.[3]
Hostage released in November 1979 among the first group freed.[3]
U.S. Marine taken hostage and injured during the earlier February 1979 embassy incident; released after intervention by U.S. officials.[3]
Hostage held in solitary confinement and reportedly beaten after expressing opinions of Khomeini.[3]
U.S. official held hostage at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.[3]
Hostage released in July 1980 after developing symptoms later diagnosed as multiple sclerosis.[3]
Hostage who attempted suicide during captivity by slashing his wrists.[3]
U.S. diplomat held hostage at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.[3]
Hostage reportedly paraded blindfolded before a crowd outside the embassy.[3]
Hostage released in November 1979 among the first group freed.[3]
U.S. Army colonel who commanded Operation Eagle Claw and recommended its abort.[3]
U.S. Secretary of State who resigned in protest after the failed rescue operation was authorized.[3]
U.S. President who directed the government response, including sanctions and the authorized rescue mission.[3]
Canadian diplomat who sheltered American diplomats evading capture.[3]
Canadian ambassador who sheltered American diplomats and helped orchestrate the Canadian Caper.[3]
Coverage is not a source: every fact in this file rests on the records below.
Are you family of someone named in this file? Corrections and removal requests from victims’ families are prioritized.
SOLVEDListenIranian Parliament building and Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini, Tehran, Iran · 2010s
On 7 June 2017, ISIL-affiliated attackers carried out coordinated attacks on Iran's Parliament building and the Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran, killing 17 civilians and wounding dozens; six assailants were killed and one was captured alive. Iran's Intelligence Ministry publicly identified five of them by name.
UNSOLVEDListenKargar Avenue, Tehran, Iran · 2000s
Neda Agha-Soltan, a 26-year-old Iranian philosophy student, was fatally shot in the chest in Tehran on 20 June 2009 while observing protests against the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Video of her death spread worldwide and became a rallying symbol for the opposition; no one has been convicted for her killing.
UNSOLVEDListenIslamic Republican Party headquarters, Tehran, Iran · 1980s
A bomb detonated at the Islamic Republican Party headquarters in Tehran on 28 June 1981, killing 74 senior Iranian officials including Chief Justice Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, during a period of intense political violence following the Iranian Revolution.
Valencia, California (Newhall area), near the site of the shootout on Interstate 5 · 1970
On the night of April 5–6, 1970, two career criminals killed four California Highway Patrol officers in a gun battle outside a coffee shop in Valencia, California, in what was then the deadliest single day in California law enforcement history.
Credit: Not cited.Public domainSourceSOLVEDListenGrand Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia · 1979
In November–December 1979, up to 600 militants led by Juhayman al-Otaybi seized the Grand Mosque in Mecca, taking hostages and declaring one of their leaders the Mahdi. Saudi forces, aided by French and Pakistani advisors, retook the mosque after a two-week siege; 270 people died and 68 militants were later executed.
Washington, D.C. · 1977
In March 1977, twelve gunmen led by Hamaas Abdul Khaalis seized three Washington, D.C. buildings and took 149 hostages, killing a reporter and fatally wounding a police officer during a 39-hour standoff that ended with the surrender of all attackers.
