American History Tellers
Episode: The Carter Years | 444 Days | 4
Release Date: April 30, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Guest: Mark Bowden, author of Guests of the Ayatollah: The Iran Hostage Crisis, the First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam

Introduction

In the fourth and final installment of the series on the challenging years of the Carter administration, Lindsey Graham delves into the tumultuous period of the Iran Hostage Crisis. Joined by renowned journalist and author Mark Bowden, the episode explores the intricate dynamics between the United States and Iran, the hostage situation that ensnared American citizens, and the profound political repercussions that ultimately led to President Jimmy Carter's defeat in the 1980 elections.

Background: Iran Before the Crisis

[05:13] Lindsey Graham:
"So I don't think the hostage crisis can be properly understood without really having a sense of what was going on in Iran."

Mark Bowden provides a comprehensive overview of Iran's political landscape leading up to the crisis. In 1979, Iran was embroiled in a revolution that saw the overthrow of the Shah, an event orchestrated by a coalition comprising dissidents, religious zealots, Islamic clergy, communists, and socialists. This diverse alliance united primarily in their opposition to the Shah, who had been a staunch ally of the United States.

[05:28] Mark Bowden:
"The Shah had been overthrown early in the year of 1979... there were people who wanted Western style liberal democracy in Iran."

With the Shah's departure, Iran entered a provisional government phase, awaiting a constitutional convention in the summer of 1980. The uncertainty and power struggles among the various factions set the stage for heightened tensions, both domestically and internationally.

[06:23] Lindsey Graham:
"And what was the United States interest in Iran at this time?"

[06:27] Mark Bowden:
"Iran was an important trading partner for oil, and it was considered to be kind of a bastion of the Western world at a time of Soviet expansionism."

Iran held significant strategic value for the U.S., not only as a major oil supplier but also as a key adversary against Soviet influence in the Near East. President Carter's administration aimed to maintain diplomatic relations with Iran, hoping that the emerging government would continue friendly ties.

The Takeover of the American Embassy

[07:04] Lindsey Graham:
"So there was initially an expectation that that's what would happen here."

On November 4, 1979, tensions reached a boiling point when Iranian students breached the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, escalating from a planned sit-in to an outright takeover. Initially, the protesters sought to make a statement, but under the influence of religious leaders known as mullahs, the situation rapidly deteriorated into a hostage crisis.

[07:27] Mark Bowden:
"The students themselves just wanted to make a statement. They wanted to do a sit in that would last a couple days."
[08:35] Lindsey Graham:
"Could you tell US what a mullah is versus the ayatollah versus the Shah, what the structures are."

Bowden clarifies the hierarchy and roles within the Iranian religious and political framework, distinguishing between mullahs (religious leaders), the Ayatollah (the highest-ranking cleric), and the Shah (the secular monarch supported by the U.S.).

[09:22] Lindsey Graham:
"So these mullahs who are looking to take advantage of a public protest moment made more of the attack on the embassy than a sit in."

The takeover was not merely a protest but a strategic move by the mullahs to consolidate power and eliminate political adversaries. Public sentiment in Tehran largely supported the embassy's seizure, fueled by fears of a possible U.S. intervention to reinstate the Shah.

Carter Administration's Response

[11:56] Mark Bowden:
"Initially, the Carter administration assumed that the provisional government in Iran would do what they had done before, which is chase the students or the protesters off the grounds."

President Carter faced a complex dilemma. The administration initially hoped for a peaceful resolution, expecting the provisional government to regain control. However, the mullahs' interference transformed the situation into a prolonged hostage standoff.

[12:50] Mark Bowden:
"When it became clear that it was a hostage situation, the president basically faced a dilemma..."

Carter contemplated various strategies, including diplomatic negotiations and potential military interventions. The risk of endangering the hostages weighed heavily on decision-making processes, leading the administration to prioritize diplomatic channels over immediate military action.

[13:48] Mark Bowden:
"They were very much at sea because the things were in such flux in Iran."
[15:04] Mark Bowden:
"The CIA had very little involvement in propping up the Shah. Their primary mission in Iran was to spy on Soviet Union missile sites."

Despite misconceptions about the CIA's role in Iran, Bowden clarifies that their primary focus was intelligence gathering against Soviet activities, not direct political manipulation. Nevertheless, distrust and misinformation about U.S. intentions persisted among Iranians.

The Rescue Mission and Its Failure

[34:56] Mark Bowden:
"The idea was to fly eight helicopters to a rendezvous point in the desert well outside of Tehran at which point the helicopters...would fly them out to a nearby airstrip which a battalion of Army Rangers was going to raid and seize."

In a desperate bid to save the hostages, the Carter administration orchestrated a covert rescue operation known as Operation Eagle Claw. The plan involved multiple helicopters and special forces targeting the embassy to free the hostages.

[36:37] Mark Bowden:
"It was a disaster. The eight helicopters encountered problems flying across the desert... one of them clipped one of the fixed wing tankers that had landed in the desert and it exploded, killing 8 of the service members."

The mission disastrously failed due to mechanical issues exacerbated by harsh desert conditions. A catastrophic collision led to the loss of lives and the abandonment of the operation, further tarnishing Carter's administration.

Political Consequences

[38:31] Mark Bowden:
"Ronald Reagan was able to portray Jimmy Carter as a weak president, as someone who was overmatched by this little country of Iran."

The failed rescue mission significantly damaged Carter's reputation, highlighting perceived weaknesses in his leadership. Opponent Ronald Reagan capitalized on this, framing Carter as ineffectual and unable to safeguard American interests.

[40:28] Mark Bowden:
"When that was negotiated by the Carter administration, the Iranian students, despite Carter, refused to release the host hostages and sign off on the deal, literally until the day that Ronald Reagan was inaugurated."

The prolonged crisis, coupled with the failed rescue attempt, eroded public confidence in Carter's presidency. This loss of trust was a pivotal factor in his defeat during the 1980 presidential elections, paving the way for Reagan's ascendancy.

Conclusion

Mark Bowden's insightful exploration of the Iran Hostage Crisis underscores the intricate interplay of geopolitical strategy, domestic politics, and human emotion. The episode vividly captures how a single event can ripple through international relations and reshape the course of a nation's leadership. President Carter's earnest attempts to resolve the crisis diplomatically, juxtaposed with the operational failures and political maneuvering, offer a profound lesson in the complexities of governance and international diplomacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Bowden [05:28]:
  "There were people who wanted Western style liberal democracy in Iran."

• Mark Bowden [07:59]:
  "So they had all banded together to depose the Shah, who had fled the country."

• Mark Bowden [11:56]:
  "They were going to try to react immediately to this assault on international diplomacy, that they were going to try to let things cool off and figure out a way to peacefully resolve the problem."

• Mark Bowden [34:56]:
  "So the idea was to land eight helicopters in the desert, refuel, load the rescue force on the helicopters, and then fly the helicopters to hiding places just outside of the city."

• Mark Bowden [38:31]:
  "Ronald Reagan was able to portray Jimmy Carter as a weak president, as someone who was overmatched by this little country of Iran."

Looking Ahead

In the next season, American History Tellers will journey to the early 20th century, exploring how President Teddy Roosevelt and contemporaries addressed the challenges of rapid industrialization, urbanization, and corruption, ushering in the Progressive Era's sweeping reforms.

Credits:
Hosted by Lindsey Graham, Executive Produced by Wondery Team.