Failed Iran Hostage Rescue Mission Marks Tragic Turning Point

On April 24, 1980, nearly six months into the Iran hostage crisis, a failed U.S. military operation called Operation Eagle Claw was attempted to rescue the American hostages held in Iran. Eight Navy RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters took off from the USS Nimitz to rendezvous with C-130 aircraft carrying Delta Force assaulters. However, the mission was aborted after less than six helicopters made it to the Desert One staging area, and a collision between a helicopter and a C-130 resulted in an explosion that killed eight servicemen.

The hostages were not rescued, and they remained captive until their release on January 20, 1981, minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president. The failed mission led to the establishment of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which would later carry out Operation Neptune Spear, resulting in the death of Osama bin Laden over 30 years later.

On April 25, 1980, the United States initiated Operation Eagle Claw, a covert military mission aimed at rescuing the US embassy staff detained in Tehran, Iran. The mission failed due to a sandstorm that caused a crash, killing eight American servicemen. The incident involved a helicopter collision with a C-130 Hercules transport plane, and five other helicopters were stranded. The operation was carried out by units from the US Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

The failed mission, known as the Tabas incident, occurred during former US president Jimmy Carter's administration and was widely believed to have influenced his defeat in the 1980 presidential election. Iran annually observes this event, viewing it as a symbol of the failure of US plots against the Islamic Republic. Documents discovered during the embassy takeover indicated some American staff's involvement in spying for the US intelligence agencies.

Why this matters: The failed Iran hostage rescue mission had far-reaching consequences, not only for the American hostages who remained in captivity for several more months, but also for U.S. military operations and presidential politics. The tragedy spurred the creation of an elite special operations command and likely contributed to President Carter's election defeat later that year.

52 Americans were held for 444 days in Tehran but were later released unharmed on January 20, 1981, coinciding with the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan. The failed rescue attempt on April 24-25, 1980 resulted in the deaths of eight U.S. servicemen and left a somber mark on the Carter presidency. Iran continues to commemorate the incident annually as a symbol of their resistance against perceived American aggression and interference.

Key Takeaways

• Failed 1980 US military op to rescue Iran hostages, 8 servicemen killed in crash
• Hostages held for 444 days until release on Reagan's inauguration day in 1981
• Failure led to creation of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
• Incident viewed as contributing to Carter's election defeat in 1980
• Iran annually commemorates the failed rescue as symbol of resistance against US