Hostages

As the American-backed Shah flees the revolution against his regime, religious cleric Ayatollah Khomeini rises to power and an Islamic theocracy is put in place; the U.S. embassy falls under grave threat.

An exploration of the chaos that unfolded on the first days of the hostage crisis; events take a turn when Khomeini sanctions the takeover and the hostage-taking becomes a watershed moment of Khomeini's repressive regime.

The Carter administration's attempts at diplomatic means to secure the hostages failed; Pres. Carter then initiated Operation Eagle Claw, but it was a disaster; eight service members died, and the hostages were no closer to home.

As the presidential election of 1980 was approaching, Iran and America were still locked in a stalemate after a year of fighting and negotiating; ultimately, the hostages were released on Pres. Reagan's inauguration day.