We face a grave situation in iran. The u. S. Impasse has been seized by iranian students. The american diplomatic staff are now prisoners. More than 60 american citizens continue to be held as hostages. Were using every available channel to secure their release. Theres an ancient principle of diplomatic immunity, which means that embassies are offlimits. So we were shocked by it. I couldnt believe it was possible. Americans felt helpless that this had happened. It felt as though the United States was losing its hold. The perpetrators are supporters of irans revolutionary leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. Theyre outraged by president carters decision to admit irans former dictator into the United States. Jimmy carters humanitarian gesture to the shah of iran, who is dying of cancer, angered the Iranian Revolutionary students. For the iranians in 1980, the great satan was carter. Not that hes mr. Popular back home. There was a feeling that jimmy carter was a failed president. We had 21 interes