The Iranian Hostage Crisis: A Turning Point in US-Iran Relations

The Iranian Hostage Crisis began when Islamic militants seized the US Embassy in Tehran, holding 52 hostages for 444 days. This event strained US-Iran relations and impacted US politics. Iran demanded an apology for the 1953 coup and the Shah's return. President Carter refused, freezing Iranian assets and attempting a failed rescue mission. The hostages were released after Reagan's inauguration, following negotiations that included unfreezing Iranian assets. The crisis shaped future US foreign policy and marked the start of ongoing tensions with Iran.

What event marked the beginning of the Iranian Hostage Crisis?

• The overthrow of the Shah

• The storming of the American Embassy in Tehran

• The admission of the Shah into the US

• The signing of a peace treaty

What was one of the demands made by Iran for the release of the hostages?

• The return of the Shah to Iran

• A new trade agreement

• Military support from the US

• A public apology from the United Nations

How did President Carter initially respond to the hostage crisis?

• By negotiating directly with the hostage-takers

• By freezing Iranian assets in the US

• By launching a military invasion

• By resigning from office

What was the outcome of Operation Eagle Claw?

• A failed mission with casualties

• A diplomatic victory for the US

• Immediate release of all hostages

• Successful rescue of hostages

When were the hostages finally released?

• Minutes after Ronald Reagan's inauguration

• During President Carter's re-election campaign

• After the Shah returned to Iran

• Following a military intervention

What was one of the long-term impacts of the Iranian Hostage Crisis?

• Strengthened US-Iran relations

• A shift in US foreign and military policy

• The end of the Cold War

• Increased US economic aid to Iran

What did the US agree to in order to secure the release of the hostages?

• Military intervention in Iran

• Unfreezing Iranian assets worth $8 billion

• A public apology to the Iranian government

• The return of the Shah to Iran