Interim Government of Iran Iran. Time magazine described the crisis as an entanglement of vengeance and mutual incomprehension. President Jimmy Carter called the hostage-taking an act of "blackmail" and the hostages "victims of terrorism and anarchy". The new Iranian regime demanded his return in order to stand trial for the crimes he was accused of committing against Iranians during his rule through his secret police.
These demands were rejected, which Iran saw as U. The U. The crisis reached a climax in early after diplomatic negotiations failed to win the release of the hostages.
Carter ordered the U. The failed attempt on April 24, , resulted in the death of one Iranian civilian and the accidental deaths of eight American servicemen after one of the helicopters crashed into a transport aircraft. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance resigned his position following the failure.
These events led the Iranian government to enter negotiations with the U. Political analysts cited the standoff as a major factor in the continuing downfall of Carter's presidency and his landslide loss in the presidential election.
In Iran, the crisis strengthened the prestige of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the political power of theocrats who opposed any normalization of relations with the West.
