Changes

The American public united in outrage at this rash action against the United States. Many Iranians living in the U.S. were deported when they were discovered to be supporters of the [[Iranian Revolution|revolution]]. Americans called upon President [[Jimmy Carter]] to act. However, Carter only ceased oil imports from Iran. Seeing Carter's failure to defend the Americans, Khomeini commented that the "action has many benefits. ... This has united our people. Our opponents [Carter] do not dare act against us." Khomeini added supported from the People's Mujahedin of Iran (a [[terrorist]] group) to his support from the Islamists, when he adopted the slogan "America can't do a damned thing." Together, the Muslim radicals and their Communist allies purged the country of all opposition, citing pro-Americanism as an offense in many executions. The American public continued to urge the President to take justified military action to protect his people. Carter answered by simply arranging for a [[Canada|Canadian]] ambassador to be sent to interview the hostages, showing himself to be an ineffective leader.

The American public united in outrage at this rash action against the United States. Many Iranians living in the U.S. were deported when they were discovered to be supporters of the [[Iranian Revolution|revolution]]. Americans called upon President [[Jimmy Carter]] to act. However, Carter only ceased oil imports from Iran. Seeing Carter's failure to defend the Americans, Khomeini commented that the "action has many benefits. ... This has united our people. Our opponents [Carter] do not dare act against us." Khomeini added supported from the People's Mujahedin of Iran (a [[terrorist]] group) to his support from the Islamists, when he adopted the slogan "America can't do a damned thing." Together, the Muslim radicals and their Communist allies purged the country of all opposition, citing pro-Americanism as an offense in many executions. The American public continued to urge the President to take justified military action to protect his people. Carter answered by simply arranging for a [[Canada|Canadian]] ambassador to be sent to interview the hostages, showing himself to be an ineffective leader.

===Operation Eagle Claw===

===Operation Eagle Claw===

Due to the criticism Carter recieved for ignoring the safety of American citizens, he finally ordered a small-scale rescue mission on April 24, 1980, after 173 days of captivity. [[Operation Eagle Claw]], as it was codenamed, was a total and complete failure. American units were deployed in the Iranian desert before heading to Tehran. Due to equipment failure, the rescue mission was called off before it was even really started. When the Americans began retreating, a helicopter crashed, killing eight American servicemen. The bodies were recovered by Iranian forces, and used in a street demonstration protesting the “invasion.” Khomeini credited the “victory” to the divine intervention of [[Allah]] on his behalf. This increased Khomeini’s ever-growing support from the Iranian public. A second rescue attempt was planned, but poor leadership and management prevented it from ever being implemented.

Due to the criticism Carter received for ignoring the safety of American citizens, he finally ordered a small-scale rescue mission on April 24, 1980, after 173 days of captivity. [[Operation Eagle Claw]], as it was codenamed, was a total and complete failure due to poor leadership and management.

 

Six U.S. helicopters units were deployed in the Iranian desert before heading to Tehran. Despite requests from the mission commander, no spare helicopters were permitted, even though the commander warned that losing even one helicopter would doom the mission.

 

Due to equipment failure (sand disabling one of the helicopters), the rescue mission was called off before it was even really started. When the Americans began retreating, a helicopter crashed, killing eight American servicemen. The bodies were recovered by Iranian forces, and used in a street demonstration protesting the “invasion.” Khomeini credited the “victory” to the divine intervention of [[Allah]] on his behalf. This increased Khomeini’s ever-growing support from the Iranian public.  

 

A second rescue attempt was conceived but not implemented.

==Consequences==

==Consequences==