Link to the Show / Show NotesThe Iranian Revolution of 1979 was fought between Shah Pahlevi(supported by America and hated for his pro-American beliefs) andAyatollah Khomeini (and anti-American Islamist). Khomeini succeeded intaking power from the Shah and created the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the turbulent years that followed, 300 militants seized 63hostages from the American embassy in Iran and held them for 444 days.
Months of negotiations ensued and eventually, 11of the hostages werereleased prematurely. The others were almost rescued by PresidentCarter in Operation Eagle Claw, but due to a sandstorm, the operationwas a disastrous failure. It was such a great failure that the USreformed its military and created a new unified combatant command,SOCOM, and a new special forces regiment, the 160th SOAR.
The Iranians remained steadfast in their imprisonment of the hostagesuntil September 1980, when Iraq invaded Iran and launched the Iran-IraqWar. As a result, Iran wanted a quick resolution to the hostage issueand thus, the Algiers Accords were signed by the United States andIran. The hostages were returned on Reagan's inauguration day. However, tensions between these two countries still exist today (seeIranian capture of 15 British sailors).
For more information, read:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3978523.stm
The American Presidents by David Whitney
http://www.historyguy.com/iran-us_hostage_crisis.html
Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine
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