The Story of the 1981 Hostage Release

In 1979, the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown during the Revolution. The U.S. had previously supported the Shah. After the Shah came to the U.S. for medical treatment, many saw this as evidence of U.S. interference affairs. Tensions escalated. On November 4, 1979, students, aligned with revolutionary or anti-American sentiment, stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held dozens of U.S. diplomats and citizens hostage.

The hostages were released on January 20, 1981—the same day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as U.S. President. Their return was met with widespread public relief and ceremonies. The “Yellow Ribbon” symbol (tie a yellow ribbon) became a symbol of support and hope during their captivity and return. The crisis had long-lasting effects on U.S. relations, shaping decades of distrust, sanctions, and diplomatic isolation.

September 14, 2025 | 2:01 am