19 79, iranian student storm the American Embassy in tehran. Everybody thinks it will be an overnight affair, but it will not. music , this is the story of a traumatic crisis that lasted 444 days and ended in january 1981, a personal drama about 51 american men and two american women. We will be with you, hopefully, as soon as we can. Their crime was being associated with the u. S. Embassy in tehran, the punishment total incarceration. This will be an inside view, with exclusive iranian shot footage never seen before. When did you arrive in iran . September 19, 1979. I think today is the 19th of january. This was founded by yesterday. Here showing the area they motor pool was behind the main gates, to the right was the chancellor the operation have that houses the communications systems. Way behind past some fails, was the two story building. It is completely sealed off in the compound. The students apparently new facts they had Standing Orders not to shoot, to make sure that the women
Captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2008 he wouldnt let them determine what was happening domestically, only focused on the soviet union. So, the cia was hobbled in its ability to inform the white house and the president what was actually happening. Its totally fanciful that the cia was using u. S. Government money to pay off the opposition. You mentioned jimmy carter in essence being held hostage because of the crisis. In december of 79, he was on the mall, he did not like the National Christmas tree as a symbol of those held hostage. Did that become another metaphor how this became allconsuming of him leading up to the election in 1980 . It was. And i talked in the book, a number of your colleagues, woodruff, peter glass, people who were reporters at the time. They all said that carter called and hes admitted to me in interview for the book, that he gave too much attention to it. He could have said, weve made an offer to the iranians about negotiating this. They are res
Attack began. They were over the walls and soon the chain on the main gate was cut. This was filmed by a student. Here showing the area being overrun. The motor pool was behind the main gate to the embassy compound. To their right was the chancellory. The operational hub of the embassy that housed the Sensitive Communications systems. The heavy front doors of the chancellory had been bolted shut. Inside were 45 americans and plus iranian staff and some visitors. The marine guards inside fired tear gas to buy time. When it was realized help wasnt coming, one of the chancellory Security Officers went outside to try to persuade the students to leave. He was immediately captured. The besieged staff retreated floor by floor. One american, john limbert, who spoke farsi went out to try to save the life. He was immediately blindfolded and threatened with death. The americans surrendered. Just a portion of a canadian documentary which will be seen on cspan3s American History tv later on today.
Events how it unfolded and from the canadian documentary this look on how it all happened 40 years ago. Just before 11 am, the attack begun. They were over the walls who assumed this this was filled by a student here its being over run the motor pool was behind the main gate to the right was the chancellor the operational, of the communication all systems the chancery, was shot inside for 45 americans and staff. The marine guard inside fired tear gas to buy time. When it was realized help was not coming, one of the Security Officers tried to persuade students to leave. He was immediately captured. The staff are treated floor by floor. One american who spoke farsi went out. He was immediately threatened with death. The americans surrendered. Just a portion of a canadian documentary which will be seen later today. We want to welcome stuart eizenstat. His new book, president carter the white house years. And john limbert negotiating with iran wrestling with history. We saw a portion of yo
Hostages and diplomats to often using video recorded inside the mc compound by iranians. It is narrated by actor William Shatner and is available and is about 90 minutes. Narrator november 4, 1979, iranian students storm the embassy of the United States of america in tehran. Everybody thinks it will be an overnight affair, but it will not. Narrator this is the story of a traumatic crisis that lasted 444 days and ended in january 1981, a personal drama about 51 american men and two american women. We look forward to being with you hopefully, as soon as we , can. Narrator their crime was being associated with the u. S. Embassy in tehran, the punishment was total incarceration. We are happy to see someone from the outside world. Narrator this will be an inside view, with exclusive iranian shot footage never seen before. When did you arrive in iran . I arrived on september 19, 1979. I am a planner for the u. S. Navy. I think today is the 19th of january. Your name and your job. I was the a