The Western Hostage Saga, 1984–92

Abstract

On 17 January 1982 in Tehran, Ayatollah Khomeini held a special reception in honour of the ‘Organisation of Islamic Students Following the Imam’s Line’, a sort of old comrades association of the survivors of the 400 revolutionary students who had stormed the US embassy on 4 November and held the Americans hostage for 444 days. Having taken part in the episode had become a revolutionary battle honour. The survivors were treated as heroes, and many were in positions of importance in government, administration and commerce. Still young, enthusiastic and active, as individuals they wielded considerable influence. Participation in the US embassy siege was a good thing to have on one’s record.