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Shah Mohammed
Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi's authoritarian rule sparks demonstrations and riots. -
Shah
The Shah flees Iran and goes to Egypt. -
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Iran, after 14 years in exile, to lead the country. -
Shah
The Shah is allowed to enter the United States to receive medical treatment for cancer. -
Hostages
Iranian students demonstrating outside of the US embassy in Tehran storm the embassy and take 90 people hostage including 66 Americans. The students demand the extradition of the Shah from the United States. Ayatollah Khomeini issues a statement of support for the students' actions. -
Iran Government
The Iranian government cancels military treaties with the US and the Soviet Union, treaties that would permit US or Soviet military intervention. -
Premier Mehdi Bazargan
Premier Mehdi Bazargan and his government resign, leaving Ayatollah Khomeini and the Revolutionary Council in power. -
Jimmy Carter
US President Jimmy Carter sends former Attorney General Ramsey Clark and Senate Intelligence Committee staff director William Miller to Iran to negotiate the release of the hostages. Ayatollah Khomeini refuses to meet with them. -
Jimmy Carter
President Carter orders Iranian assets in US banks frozen. -
Khomeini
Khomeini orders the release of female and African-American hostages. They are released November 19 and 20, bringing the total number of US hostages to 53. -
United Nations Security Counci
The United Nations Security Council passes a resolution calling for Iran to release the hostages. -
Shah
The Shah leaves the United States for Panama. -
Shah
The Shah returns to Egypt. -
Deputy Secretary
Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher and his delegation work through mediators in Algeria to negotiate the release of the hostages. -
Evading Capture
Six American embassy employees, who avoided capture and hid in the homes of Canadian Embassy officers, flee Iran. In 1997 it is revealed that, along with the Canadian government, the CIA made the escape possible. -
Jimmy Carter
President Carter cuts diplomatic ties with Iran, announcing further sanctions and ordering all Iranian diplomats to leave the United States. -
Eagle Claw
Eight US servicemen are killed when a helicopter and a transport plane collide during a failed attempt to rescue the hostages. -
Hostages
Another hostage is released due to illness. The total number of US hostages is now 52. -
Shah
The Shah dies of cancer in Egypt. -
Ayatollah Khomeini
Ayatollah Khomeini sets new terms for the hostages' release, including the return of the late Shah's wealth and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. -
Release
The United States and Iran sign an agreement to release the hostages and unfreeze Iranian assets. -
Hostages Release
The remaining 52 US hostages are released and flown to Wiesbaden Air Base in Germany. -
Bills
Congress passes a budget bill that includes a provision authorizing each of the 53 hostages to receive $10,000 for each day they were held captive. In addition, spouses and children will separately receive a one-time payment of $600,000.