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I know most believe it was Reagan that freed the hostages, or maybe Carter. It is not such a well known fact, ok, I am probably the only one that knows it, but I believe the hostages were freed because I got out of USMC boot camp in Jan 1981. The Iranians wanted no part of this lean, green, killing machine.
The CIA orchestrated and funded a coup in Iran in 1953 and installed their puppet dictator, the last Shah of Iran who had no issue selling oil to the west for pennies on the dollar.
The last Shah left Iran in 1/ 1979. He kept his Cancer diagnosis a secret. He bounced around the world for awhile and eventually landed in Mexico. Nixon visited him. David Rockerfeller, then CEO of Chase Bank, sent his personal MD. Republicans advocated for the US to allow him to seek treatment in the US. Carter was opposed.
The Carter Admin had an agreement with Russia in the works and Carter needed Republican support. Former SoS, Kissinger continued to have influence with Republicans and he withheld his support unless Carter accommodated the last Shah. Eventually, Carter gave in in 10/1979.
The former US embassy in Tehran was attacked and US hostages taken a few weeks later as a result of Carter’s agreement to let the Shah into the US. Carter retaliated by freezing Iranian assets.
He was also opposed in the primary for a 2nd term by Teddy Kennedy, so he damn sure wasn't liberal enough for that crowd.
He was also challenged every day by Eleanor Smeel of NOW. She gave him hell all day every day about women's rights. He agreed with her and did what he could but it wasn't enough for them. Bet they really liked Reagan.
"Speculation on [your] part" indeed. Because the handover was only started mere minutes after Reagan completed the Oath of Office.
For 444 days. What a successful team negotiation.
There is no question, the Carter Admin negotiated the agreement return of hostages vs return of most of Iran’s frozen assets.
There is no question, the outgoing admin brought in the incoming admin at the 11th hour to ensure a smooth transition.
There is no question, the Carter Admin and Iran signed through agreement. Hostages would be released on Inauguration Day in exchange for the return of most of Iran’s assets. Terrific optic for Reagan and the big stink eye at Carter for accommodating the Shah.
What was unknown at the time was that senior members of the incoming administration subsequently agreed to secretly sell arms to Iran via Israel, in violation of the embargo.
This persisted until 1985, during Reagan’s second term, when it hit the fan. A whole lot of Reagan’s senior administration were convicted and subsequently pardoned by Bush1.
Multiple investigations found insufficient evidence that Reagan was aware. Nonetheless, he took responsibility for what happened on his watch.
This was soon eclipsed by the Savings and Loan crisis of 1,000 + thrift organizations and the need for a bailout.
The Reagan Admin was brought in at the 11 th hour to ensure it was in lockstep with the international US/ Iran tribunal/ Algiers Accord. It was this international agreement that spelled out the release of hostages and the return of most of Iran’s frozen assets. The Clinton Admin signed the agreement the day before Reagan’s inauguration.
In politics you don’t give without getting. Speculation on my part that it was agreed between the outgoing and incoming administrations and Iran that the hostages would be released on Inauguratiin Day to be followed by the release of most of Iran’s frozen assets.
The release was a fantastic optic for the incoming Reagan Admin. Media did not focus on the subsequent release of most of Iran’s frozen assets.
Almost immediately, members of Reagan’s Admin began secretly selling arms to Iran via Israel acting as intermediary. This persisted into Reagan’s second term when it hit the fan. Proceeds were being used to fund a regime change in Nicaragua.
Correct, the Carter administration was in negotiations for a year with Warren Christopher and the Algerian Foreign minister and Ambassador acting as intermediaries with Iran. He wanted their release before his term ended but one of the largest problems was unfreezing the Iranian assets in multiple banks since they were frozen out of the baking system, same as today.
It was all set before the election but they wanted to send one last message to Carter for allowing the Shah to come to the US. I give Reagan credit for being elected and following through with what was already set in place but this perception that it was because Iran was afraid of Reagan is pure fantasy. He was selling arms to Iran as you indicated, does this sound like some fearsome president. Strange world we live in by the way wit Israel supplying US arms to Iran in the 80's, fast forward to today.
...I give Reagan credit for being elected and following through with what was already set in place but this perception that it was because Iran was afraid of Reagan is pure fantasy.
Nice try. Everybody saw that the Iranians deliberately didn't cede an inch until Carter was officially out of office.
Correct, the Carter administration was in negotiations for a year with Warren Christopher and the Algerian Foreign minister and Ambassador acting as intermediaries with Iran. He wanted their release before his term ended but one of the largest problems was unfreezing the Iranian assets in multiple banks since they were frozen out of the baking system, same as today.
It was all set before the election but they wanted to send one last message to Carter for allowing the Shah to come to the US. I give Reagan credit for being elected and following through with what was already set in place but this perception that it was because Iran was afraid of Reagan is pure fantasy. He was selling arms to Iran as you indicated, does this sound like some fearsome president. Strange world we live in by the way wit Israel supplying US arms to Iran in the 80's, fast forward to today.
Not fantasy at all, Reagan was running on the "no negotiation" mantra, and Iran knew it, so they went with the deal, over a year after the hostage crisis started.
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