Iran Hostage Crisis

1. 1979-02

   Iranian Revolution culminates with the return of Ayatollah Khomeini from exile; the U.S. Embassy is briefly occupied in an earlier incident.

2. 1979-10-22

   The United States admits the exiled Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, for medical treatment, intensifying anti-American sentiment in Iran.

3. 1979-11-04

   Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and take 66 Americans hostage.

4. 1979-11-12

   United States ends oil imports from Iran.

5. 1979-11-14

   President Carter issues Executive Order 12170 freezing approximately $8 billion in Iranian assets in the U.S.

6. 1979-11-19

   Hostage-takers release one woman and two African American hostages.

7. 1979-11-20

   Four more women and six African American hostages are released.

8. 1979-11-21

   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.

9. 1980-01-28

   Six American diplomats who evaded capture are smuggled out of Iran via the Canadian Caper.

10. 1980-04-24

    Operation Eagle Claw, a U.S. military rescue attempt, fails in the Iranian desert; eight U.S. servicemen and one Iranian civilian are killed.

11. 1980-04-25

    President Carter publicly explains the failed rescue mission and accepts responsibility.

12. 1980-07

    Hostage Richard Queen is released after being diagnosed with a serious illness later identified as multiple sclerosis.

13. 1980-07-27

    The Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, dies in Cairo, Egypt.

14. 1980-10-29

    An aircraft for the planned second rescue attempt, Operation Credible Sport, crashes during a demonstration at Eglin Air Force Base; all aboard survive.

15. 1980-11-02

    The Iranian parliament votes on conditions for releasing the hostages, delivered to the U.S. via Algerian mediation.

16. 1981-01-20

    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.

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• Michael Metrinko

  VICTIM

  Hostage held in solitary confinement and reportedly beaten after expressing opinions of Khomeini.

• Kathryn Koob

  VICTIM

  Hostage reportedly paraded blindfolded before a crowd outside the embassy.

• Charles A. Jones, Jr.

  VICTIM

  African American hostage who was not released with the initial November 1979 group.

• Bruce Laingen

  VICTIM

  U.S. diplomat held hostage; one of three officials held at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

• William Quarles

  VICTIM

  Hostage released in November 1979 among the first group freed.

• John Sheardown

  LAW ENFORCEMENT

  Canadian diplomat who sheltered American diplomats evading capture.

• Kenneth Kraus

  VICTIM

  U.S. Marine taken hostage and injured during the earlier February 1979 embassy incident; released after intervention by U.S. officials.

• William Belk

  VICTIM

  Hostage reportedly paraded blindfolded before a crowd outside the embassy.

• Richard Queen

  VICTIM

  Hostage released in July 1980 after developing symptoms later diagnosed as multiple sclerosis.

• Steve Lauterbach

  VICTIM

  Hostage who attempted suicide during captivity by slashing his wrists.

• Mike Howland

  VICTIM

  U.S. official held hostage at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

• Jimmy Carter

  LAW ENFORCEMENT

  U.S. President who directed the government response, including sanctions and the authorized rescue mission.

• Charles W. Scott

  VICTIM

  Hostage whose mail was reportedly withheld by guards.

• Ken Taylor

  LAW ENFORCEMENT

  Canadian ambassador who sheltered American diplomats and helped orchestrate the Canadian Caper.

• Kathy Gross

  VICTIM

  Hostage released in November 1979 among the first group freed.

• Jerry Miele

  VICTIM

  CIA communications technician held hostage who attempted self-harm during captivity.

• Victor L. Tomseth

  VICTIM

  U.S. diplomat held hostage at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

• Donald Hohman

  VICTIM

  U.S. Army medic held hostage who went on a hunger strike.

• Charles Alvin Beckwith

  LAW ENFORCEMENT

  U.S. Army colonel who commanded Operation Eagle Claw and recommended its abort.

• Cyrus Vance

  LAW ENFORCEMENT

  U.S. Secretary of State who resigned in protest after the failed rescue operation was authorized.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

What happened to the victim?

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.-Iran relations and U.S. domestic politics.

Where did the crime happen?

U.S. Embassy, Tehran, Iran.

What is the current status of the case?

Status: solved. Last verified July 2026.

1. Iran hostage crisiswikipedia · Wikipedia · 2026-07-07
2. Contemporaneous coverage — The New York Timesnews · The New York Times · 2026-07-07
3. Contemporaneous coverage — discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uknews · discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk · 2026-07-07

Last verified JUL 2026