The Truth Behind Argo: Iranian Hostage Crisis and Its Impact on Iranian-American Relations

Casey Benson, Thomas Giles, and Eric Lefevers 
Students, California State University, Chico 

The speakers use the results of their research to assert that the 1979-1981 hostage crisis, when Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy, was mishandled by the U.S. government.  The students took 60 people as hostages, of whom 52 were American citizens, and presented a list of demands for their release. Most of the Americans were detained for 14 months. The speakers provide historical background on the circumstances that led to this pivotal event in the history of U.S.-Iran relations. “Argo” is the title of a 2012 movie that was roughly based on the hostage incident. 

Recorded: May 1, 2014