I wish Iranian militants were yelling “DEATH TO PANAMA!” instead of “DEATH TO AMERICA!”
And you think all that enmity is the result of the US allowing the Shah and his family to enter the US to seek medical treatment?
It has nothing to do with islam needing a bogey man?
Give it up man, I have nothing against royalty, never have had, never will. I consider 'the first family' as a part of the natural human condition. Every tribe has its chief. The French didn't gain much through their butchery - mob rule isn't liberty.
This is a moment in history that I wish our administration had listened to the "big picture" intelligence analysis provided them at the time. I am 100% confident PANAMA would have been a better location for the Shah's and the Shah's family's exile and have evidence to back up this opinion and others. No, I don't think the family of the Shah settling in the U.S. is the entire story but yes, it has something to do with it. Ultimately we have to move forward, not give up, not wallow in historical fantasy and try to work out a RESOLUTION.
THREAT ASSESSMENT: IRAN - Prepared by: Stephanie C. Stuaffer, 632-1864 - Approved by: Bowman H. Miller, Sid T. Telford, 632-2412 - June 14, 1979
(S) Anti-U.S. feelings, which appeared to have abated several months ago following the evacuation of most Americans, are on the increase. The fractionalization of the Islamic movement and the many political groups competing for public favor may once again find the U.S. an attractive target for propaganda and aggression. Recent demonstrations protesting Senator Jacob Javits’ resolution on Iran point out the fact that any political decision which Iranians in general consider disadvantageous to them could trigger anti U.S. demonstrations and or incidents. In this regard, a decision to allow the deposed Shah and or family members to visit or settle in the United States could have serious consequences. The Iranian reaction would probably be immediate and possibly violent. Such a decision would probably be the one cohesive and unifying factor in the entire Iranian political spectrum.
Beset by advanced cancer, the shah left Iran in January 1979 to begin a life in exile. He lived in Egypt, Morocco, the Bahamas, and Mexico before going to the United States for treatment of lymphatic cancer. His arrival in New York City led to the Iranian takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran by "Students of Imam's Line" and the taking hostage of more than 50 Americans for 444 days.
1979 4 November - Iranian students seize 63 hostages at US embassy in Tehran, prompting drawn-out crisis leading to severing of diplomatic ties and sweeping US sanctions against Iran. Their initial demand is that the Shah return from the US to Iran to face trial. Later Iran also demands the US undertake not to interfere in its affairs.