Iran Crisis

Operation Eagle Claw

Vance and Carter

1978 - Protests began in Iran, strikes cut oil production, closed banks and stores, Shah's military shot students at the university Nov. 4, mass marches Dec. 29 paralyzed the Shah's government.

Jan. 16, 1979 - Shah forced into exile

Feb. 1 - Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran

April 1 - creation of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Nov. 4 - Islamic militants took 52 Americans hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran, held for 444 days until Jan. 20, 1981

Nov. 17 - Iran freed black and female hostages.

Nov. 14 - Carter froze $25b. of Iran's assets in the U.S.

April 24, 1980 - rescue attempt "Operation Eagle Claw" failed at Desert 1 in remote Iran when a sandstorm diverted 3 of the 9 helicopters needed, a 4th was damaged on landing, and another helicopter collided with an airplane, killing 8.

Iran country study
Iranian Revolution pics
The Hostage Crisis in Iran, from Carter Library
20 Years after the Hostages: Declassified Documents on Iran and the United States, from National Security Archive
America's Role in the Iran-Iraq War: From the Iran-Contra Affair to Iraqgate, Background Information/Timeline