HostagesOn 4 November 1979, a group of Iranian “students” said to be about three hundred-strong, invaded the US Embassy. Sixty hostages were held captive in the embassy compound in Teheran and three more were held at the foreign ministry building.
Their cause was a desire to see the exiled Shah of Iran, who was in the USA for medical treatment, returned to his country to face charges relating to his years in charge. The Shah had fled the country in January 1979.
His plan at the time was to seek refuge in Americaand his allies, including Nelson Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger, had made suitable arrangements. However, he changed this plan at the last minute and left Iran for Egypt. He then moved to Morocco and on to the Bahamas and then to Mexico. In each country, his stay was cut short by
