Iranian Hostage Crisis Isabelle Cecere, Andrew Aguilar, Kelly Ashnault, Jimmy Conte.
-
Upload
jayson-king -
Category
Documents
-
view
218 -
download
0
Transcript of Iranian Hostage Crisis Isabelle Cecere, Andrew Aguilar, Kelly Ashnault, Jimmy Conte.
Leading Up To The Crisis
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran
1908 Oil discovered in Iran
PRE WWII GB was major influence
POST WWII Soviet Union Influence
1953: US begins to fear Soviet ties with Mohammed Mossadegh, Iranian Prime Minister
CIA Program “Operation Ajax” developed to oust elected prime minister and give power to Shah (monarch), Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Background Information: Shah of Iran
The Shah of Iran Began reign in 1941
Gained U.S. support after preventing the nationalization of Iran’s Oil industry
In return for oil, American provided the Shah with economic and military aid
Refused to grant political freedom, and was resented by many of his people
Strong political opposition (ex. Nationalist Ruhollah Khomeini)
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran
Leading Up To The Crisis
Iran Under The Shah Prosperous Iran due to U.S. aid
and oil
BUT
Growing resentment of westernization and uneven distribution of wealth
Political oppression
First uprising in 1963: Confrontation of the Islamic Clergy Lead by Ruhollah Khomeini
Ruhollah Khomeini, Iranian Revolutionary
Iranian Revolution BeginsStart of the Iranian Revolution
1963 uprising put down
Leader exiled
Shah under pressure due to strong opposition to gov.
SAVAK (police) crack down on dissenters
Protests in religious city, Qom, calling Shah’s regime “anti-Islamic”
Shah Fled to Egypt January 16, 1979 and Khomeini returns
A New RegimeKhomeini’s Ideology and
Effects Leader from 1979-1989
Khomeini was deeply religious Studied the Islamic Religion (Shiite Branch)
Believed in an Islamic Revolution around the world
Hated America (because of democracy and freedom)
Devastating effects on Iran: Shia Islamic law lead to the inferiority of women, Iranian Revolution lead to war between Iraq and Iran, began the belief in Islamic jihad that many terrorist groups follow today.
Carter’s Reaction to the Revolution “President Carter inherited
an impossible situation– and he and his advisor’s made the worst of it.” Gaddis Smith
There were two options: (Aggressive Approach)
Have the Shah brutally suppress the revolution
(Cautious Approach) Reach out to the oppositionists to help a smooth transition to a new government
*Carter did neither
Hostages Taken
The Start of the Crisis Shah of Iran was severely ill with
cancer Wanted admittance into the U.S.
Carter reluctant at first but eventually gave in- the Shah was admitted into the U.S. in October
On November 4, 1979 students captured the embassy and took approximately 60-70 Americans taken hostage Motive originally unclear, a similar
event occurred 9 months earlier, but only lasted hours (Khomeini ordered hostages to be released)
Details of the Crisis
Iranian Hostage Crisis Roughly 300-500 students, called
“Imam’s Disciples”
In Teheran, Iran: An attack on the embassy in Iran
Those captured were both citizens and diplomats
Those released initially: Women and African Americans (and one suffering from illness)
Approximately 51-53 hostages remained
Hostages held for 444 days
Khomeini’s PlotIranian Hostage Crisis
Cont. Claimed that he had no
involvement in the affair, but refused to take action
Instead of releasing these Americans Khomeini saw crisis as a way to gain power
Had extreme anti-American sentiments
The hostage situation escalated until demands were finally made
The Iranian Hostage Crisis Demands
Demands of Imam’s Disciples
1. Return Shah to Iran for Trial
2. Return billions of dollars that the Shah had allegedly stolen from Iranian people
3. An apology from the U.S. for involvement in the Iranian government (including coup in 1953)
4. A promise to not get involved in Iranian Affairs in the future
Carter’s Response Considered the return of the hostage’s his
personal responsibility
Decided military action was too risky
Build pressure through economic sanctions Canceled Oil imports from Iran (Nov. 11
Carter embargoed Iranian oil) Expelled a number of Iranians from U.S. Froze around $8 million dollars of Iranian
assets in U.S.
The Carter Administration’s plan was to “be patient and persist”
BUT as time went on Americans grew frustrated and demanded stronger action
Carter Takes ActionOperation Eagle Claw
(Desert One) With no sign of release,
Carter approved a high-risk rescue operation on April 11, 1980- Called Operation Eagle Claw or Desert One
Seemed to be doomed for failure Teheran: surrounded by
desert, contained 4 million people, embassy within it HUGE and well guarded
Operation Eagle Claw (Desert One)
Preparations for Operation
Two night process- minimum of 6 helicopters (“helos”) and C-130 cargo aircraft (8 helicopters were prepared)
Under the cloak of night helicopters head towards staging area: one helicopter had to turn around due to operation problems, the other due to a dust storm- MISSION ABORTED
Operation Eagle Claw (Desert One)
The Miscommunication During retreat- one helo was accidentally
given orders to lift off
The storm caused the helo to slam into a C-130, causing an explosion Killed 3 in the chopper and five in the
airplane and injured 3
Aftermath: Iranians found the wreckage and paraded it world-wide
U.S. was humiliated- lead to investigations and congressional hearings
Cyrus Vance, Secretary of State who objected to these plans, resigned in protest
Effect of Hostage Crisis on Political Elections
Reagan vs. Carter
Constant media coverage in the State of the crisis- footage of Iranian mobs, a new television news program, etc.
People felt as though Carter had not been tough enough on foreign policy: he was not a strong candidate for president
Carter hoped that negotiations with Iran that began in September would end by the election- referred to as an “October surprise”
Hostage Negotiations An “October Surprise?”
Iran was more open to negotiations due to: Death of Shah in July Iraqi invasion of Iran (needed
weapons)
Would have helped Carter with the presidential election
Negotiations dragged on and did not end until after the election
Republican Ronald Regan won in a landslide victory
Hostages were released just minutes after Regan’s inauguration on January 20, 1981
Effects of the Iranian Hostage CrisisReagan won the election
Carter’s Administration was perceived to not be tough enough on foreign policy
Tensions between Iran and the U.S. increased (Iran celebrates the embassy take-over as a national holiday): The Iranian Hostage crisis is the basis for U.S.- Iran relations today