Mohammed Reza Pahlavi
At the end of the 1979-1981 hostage crisis the Shah of Iran was dead. He died of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma) on 27 July 1980, aged 60.
20th Century with Mike Wallace - 1995 The Shah of Iran and the Iranian Hostage Crisis 1-1 was released on: USA: 14 September 1994
The US had always been a strong ally of Shah Pahlavi, the previous ruler of Iran before the Ayatollah Khomeini's revolution, and just as the new theocracy had rebelled against the corrupt regime of the Shah, so too did they rebel against the Shah's cynical ally, the US. Of course, in so doing, they set in motion a conflict that continues to this day in various ways, and is highly destructive. It was not a smart move.
When the US did not return former Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi in 1979, the American embassy in Iran was attacked and several of its members were taken hostage for 444 days. This has been termed the "Iran Hostage Crisis."
The United States debated about if they should bring the Shah into the U.S. for medical treatment. Or if they should listen to demands the Iranians wanted.
The Iranian hostage crisis, which began in November 1979, was closely linked to the exile of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Following the Iranian Revolution, the Shah fled Iran, seeking medical treatment in the United States, which angered many Iranians who viewed his presence as a symbol of U.S. support for his oppressive regime. In response, Iranian militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage, demanding the extradition of the Shah to stand trial. This crisis significantly strained U.S.-Iran relations and contributed to the Shah's legacy of controversy.
The most notable hostage crisis of the late 1970s was the Iran Hostage Crisis, which began on November 4, 1979. Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage, demanding the extradition of the former Shah of Iran, who was in the U.S. for medical treatment. The hostages were held for 444 days, leading to a significant deterioration in U.S.-Iran relations and influencing American politics for years to come. The crisis ended on January 20, 1981, coinciding with the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan.
The United States refused to render the deposed Shah of Iran back to Iran for trial (and likely execution) at the hands of the new Islamic Republic regime.
The Iranian hostage crisis, which began in November 1979, was closely tied to the exile of the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Following the Islamic Revolution, the Shah fled Iran, seeking medical treatment in the United States, which angered many Iranians who viewed his presence as a symbol of U.S. support for his oppressive regime. In response, Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage, demanding the Shah's return to face trial. This crisis highlighted the deep-seated resentment towards U.S. interference in Iranian affairs and significantly impacted U.S.-Iran relations.
Iran demanded that the US return the former Shah of Iran (Mohammed Reza Pahlavi) to Iran for a trial (which would undoubtedly result in his execution) and unfreeze Iranian government funds in Swiss Banks in exchange for the US hostages. Iran eventually got the money, but not the Shah, who died in exile in Egypt.
The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979, when Iranian militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage. This event occurred amid the Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah. The hostages were held for 444 days, leading to a significant deterioration in U.S.-Iran relations and culminating in a failed rescue operation in April 1980. The crisis ended on January 20, 1981, coinciding with the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan, after negotiations led to their release.