Iran-US Relations: A Legacy of Hostility
The 1979 US embassy hostage crisis in Iran was a pivotal moment in the presidency of Jimmy Carter, leaving a lasting impact on the relationship between the two countries. The crisis began on November 4, 1979, when a group of Iranian students, backed by the revolutionary government, stormed the US embassy in Tehran, taking 90 people hostage.
The Roots of the Crisis
The crisis was sparked by the US decision to provide asylum and medical treatment to the former Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who had been overthrown in January 1979. The Shah’s regime had been marked by corruption, inequality, and a perception that it was a puppet of the US. His departure paved the way for the Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which imposed a theocratic government inspired by Shiite Islam.
The Hostage Crisis
The students who stormed the embassy claimed to be acting in defense of the Islamic revolution and believed that the US wanted to restore the Shah to power. During the attack, 52 American diplomats and employees were captured and held hostage. The raiders demanded the extradition of the Shah in exchange for the release of the hostages, but this demand was rejected by the Jimmy Carter administration.
Failed Rescue Attempt
During the 14-month crisis, the US imposed economic sanctions on Iran and authorized a failed military operation, “Eagle Claw,” to rescue the hostages. The secret mission was frustrated by a sandstorm, unrealistic planning, and inaccurate intelligence on Iranian defenses. The mission failed, resulting in the death of eight American soldiers and damaging Carter’s credibility.
Lasting Impact
The crisis marked the beginning of a bitter feud between Iran and the US, with few direct diplomatic interactions since then. Tensions remain a central issue in international politics, with Iran threatening to develop a nuclear bomb and the US and its allies considering measures to counter this threat. The legacy of the hostage crisis continues to shape the complex and often hostile relationship between the two countries.