The Iran Hostage
Crisis
Where's Iran? Whip around…
WHAT’S GOING ON IN IRAN
TODAY?
*Video clip
NOTE CARD
Name:
Number 1-10
1. Should Iran be allowed to
have nuclear weapons? Why?
• Iranian Revolution: the government was overthrown and
the Shah (leader) of Iran fled the country.
• The US supported the recently overthrown Shah,
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Shah was allowed into the
U.S. for medical treatment. The Iranians wanted the
United States to return the Shah to them for trial of the
crimes committed by him during his reign.
• The US refused to return the Shah to Iran.
• Anti-US protests breakout all over Iran…
• A letter is sent to President Carter briefing him on the
situation…
Iran in 1979
• 2. What problem is mentioned in the
letter?
• 3. Is the US Embassy in Iran prepared
for an attack?
White House memorandum
• The following event is known as the Iran Hostage
Crisis.
• After viewing the clip please answer the following
questions…
• 4. List 2 words to describe this movie scene.
• 5. Why did the Iranians attack the US Embassy?
Argo movie clip
• Your group will produce a plan to diplomatically or
militarily solve the Iran Hostage Crisis.
• Your main goal is to get the hostages back alive…
• You have 10 minutes.
Crisis simulation!
• After 444 days the Hostages were released and flown
back to the US.
• US used option 2: Heavy negotiations and economic
sanctions from President Carter and Reagan finally
forced Iran to give back the hostages.
• We never returned the Shah to Iran…
• Lets hear from some survivors!
How did it really end?
• On your post it note answer the following
questions while listening to the interview.
• 6. How did Mr. Scott describe his experience?
• 7. What emotions did Mr. Scott go through
when he finally returned home?
Survivor interview
• Please go to each corner and read the survivors accounts
of the Iran Hostage Crisis.
• Answer the following questions...
• 8. How was the embassy takeover in Argo different
then then the real event?
• 9. What happened after a failed escape attempted by
the hostages?
• 10. How did the survivors describe their time in
captivity?
4 corners
• President Carter issues an Executive Order blocking all of
Iran’s government property.
• Executive Order: has the full force of law, they take
authority from a power granted directly to the President
by the Constitution.
US response
• Operation Eagle Claw: was an American military
operation ordered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter to
attempt to end the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52
Americans held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on
24 April 1980. Its failure, and the humiliating public
debacle that ensued, damaged American prestige
worldwide.
US response
• Did the US government and President Carter do enough
to get the hostages out of Iran? What would you have
done differently?
Quick write
(4 to 6 sentences)