Research Paper

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Running head: THE AMERICAN EMBASSY TAKEOVER 1 The American Embassy Takeover Taylor Mckinney Troy University
THE AMERICAN EMBASSY TAKEOVER 2 The American Embassy Takeover From November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, military and diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran, known as the American Embassy takeover, lasted 444 days (Rafat, 2020). They were commonly referred to as the Iran hostage crisis. The law enforcement system in the United States was significantly impacted by this incident, which also presented several historical legal difficulties. The American embassy takeover led to a crisis that resulted in consequences for the criminal court system, and understanding how the law was used to solve it is critical. A gang of young Iranian extremists attacked the American embassy in Tehran, sparking the crisis. Notably, 52 Americans were taken prisoner after the militants took control of the embassy grounds and demanded that the U.S. government extradite the Shah to Iran so he could stand prosecution (Celon, 2020). Eight American servicemen died as a result of the incident after the hostages were kept captive for 444 days (Rafat, 2020). The Islamist apprentices and insurgents who participated in the embassy seizure were members of the larger organization that backed the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The U.S.' endorsement of the Monarch of Iran, which had been overthrown through the coup d'etat, and its provision for him to receive emergency care in the U.S. infuriated the students and activists (Bajoghli, 2019). At first, the embassy occupation was meant to be a brief protest, but things quickly escalated (Hausman, 2021). At the time, reporters described the protestors' actions as those of insane individuals (Bajoghli, 2019). After the U.S. administration rejected the request, talks between the two nations started. Numerous issues, including the absence of formal lines of communication and bilateral ties between the United States and Iran, hindered the talks. In its efforts to end the situation, the U.S. administration also ran against several political and judicial obstacles. For instance, it had to balance its need to prevent seeming weak or caving into terrorist conditions
THE AMERICAN EMBASSY TAKEOVER 3 and its obligation to guarantee the liberation of the captives (Rafat, 2020). The hostages endured difficult living circumstances and psychological torment throughout the 444-day ordeal. Their captors utilized various psychological tricks to crush their spirits, including blindfolding, beating, and threatening them with death (Celon, 2020). The United States, Iranian, and Algerian governments that served as moderators participated in difficult talks that inevitably resulted in the conflict's resolution (Celon, 2020). On January 20, 1981, shortly after President Ronald Reagan took office, the captives were freed, and the incident was over (Hausman, 2021). Comparable crises to the American embassy takeover have occurred in some other places before and after the episode. Nevertheless, the Iran hostage crisis is one of the most significant in recorded history. Implications of the Crisis The crisis had a significant effect on Iran and the United States. It was viewed as a significant embarrassment and a failure of American foreign policy (Bajoghli, 2019). The incident also changed how the U.S. government approached terror threats and affected how the administration handled diplomacy and public safety in the long run (Celon, 2020). The seizure of the consulate was viewed as a victory over the United States and a representation of Iran's growing independence and power in that country. Additionally, the crisis prompted the development of hardline groups inside the Iranian administration and a change to more hostile international relations (Hausman, 2021). Ultimately, the Iran hostage crisis led to a significant development in U.S.-Iranian ties, with far-reaching judicial, geopolitical, and diplomatic repercussions. Due to the American embassy takeover, the United States had to manage several domestic and foreign legal issues. Diplomatic immunity was among the most critical legal doctrines (Rafat, 2020). Diplomats are protected from indictment in their home countries by international humanitarian law. Consequently, this implies that the home nation would need a
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