I have often wondered about the hostage crisis. Jimmy Carter authorized the ill fated rescue mission. We seemed to be paralyzed in what to do.
It was no coincidence that the hostages were released as Reagan was being sworn in as president. I recall Reagan made some comments about the Iranians being barbarians or savages, words to that effect. I think that the Iranians were afraid of what Reagan might do. I think Reagan also described the hostages as prisoners of war, and suggested that Iran was at war with us, which would invite a military response.
Rather than take chances, Ayatollah Khomeini (sp)? and his boys decided to release the hostages.
I was in the Air Force at that time. It was rumored that Mr. Reagan had sent word thru a friendly embassy that, “If the hostages were still on the ground after he was sworn in, his first act would be to make Tehran a glass parking lot.”
Carter should have given the Iranians what they wanted — a War. Go to Congress, get a declaration. Then, while building up forces, have the Swiss negotiate an exchange of diplomatic staff (we would have legally grabbed theirs). But Carter was morally weak and indecisive.