The 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis: How Many Americans Were Held?

Marilie Satterfield 19 Jun 2025

The Iran Hostage Crisis, a pivotal moment in modern history, continues to captivate and puzzle those seeking to understand the complex relationship between the United States and Iran. One of the most frequently asked questions about this dramatic event is: "how many hostages did Iran take in 1979?" This question, while seemingly straightforward, unravels a story of shifting numbers, intense diplomatic standoffs, and human endurance that lasted for an agonizing 444 days.

On November 4, 1979, the world watched as a group of Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seizing American diplomats and citizens. This act ignited a crisis that would redefine international relations, profoundly impact a U.S. presidency, and leave an indelible mark on the collective memory of both nations. To truly grasp the gravity of this historical event, it's essential to delve into the precise figures and the human stories behind them.

The Storming of the U.S. Embassy: A Day That Changed History
The Initial Hostage Count: More Than Just a Number
- Who Were the Hostages?
- The Diplomatic Context Before the Siege
The Release of Thirteen: A Glimmer of Hope
The Core Group: 52 Held for 444 Days
- The Agony of 444 Days
- The Canadian Six: A Secret Escape
The Demands and Diplomatic Breakdown
The Aftermath and Resolution: January 20, 1981
The Legacy of the Crisis: A Turning Point in U.S.-Iran Relations
Answering the Core Question: How Many Hostages Did Iran Take in 1979?

The Storming of the U.S. Embassy: A Day That Changed History

The morning of November 4, 1979, was anything but ordinary in Tehran. A mob of students, fueled by the fervor of Iran's Islamic Revolution and resentment towards the United States, converged outside the high walls of the U.S. Embassy. What began as a protest quickly escalated into a full-blown siege. On this fateful day, a group of Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 60 American hostages. This audacious act was a direct response to President Jimmy Carter’s decision to allow the deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi into the United States for medical treatment, a move viewed by many Iranians as a continuation of American interference in their country's affairs.

The initial moments of the takeover were chaotic. Revolutionary guards and students overwhelmed the embassy's security, seizing control of the compound. The immediate capture resulted in 66 Americans, including diplomats and other civilian personnel, being taken hostage. This initial count included a wide range of individuals, from the chargé d’affaires, Bruce Laingen, to the most junior members of the staff. The sheer audacity of the act sent shockwaves around the globe, marking the beginning of a prolonged and unprecedented diplomatic crisis.

The Initial Hostage Count: More Than Just a Number

When the Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy on November 4, 1979, the immediate count of individuals captured was 66. This figure represents the total number of Americans who were present on the embassy grounds and subsequently detained. It's crucial to understand that this number wasn't static throughout the crisis, but it serves as the starting point for understanding how many hostages did Iran take in 1979 at the outset.

These 66 individuals were not just government officials; they represented a cross-section of American life working abroad. They included seasoned diplomats, consular staff responsible for visa services, military attachés, and various civilian personnel involved in the day-to-day operations of the embassy. Their capture was a direct challenge to international diplomatic norms, which grant immunity and protection to embassy personnel and premises.

Who Were the Hostages?

The group of 66 hostages encompassed a diverse array of individuals. Among them were:

Diplomats: High-ranking officials responsible for U.S. foreign policy and relations in Iran.
Consular Officers: Staff handling visas, passports, and assistance to American citizens.
Administrative and Support Staff: Individuals vital to the embassy's daily functioning, including secretaries, communications specialists, and security personnel.
Military Personnel: Though not combatants, military attachés were part of the diplomatic mission.
Civilian Visitors: In some cases, individuals who happened to be at the embassy for various reasons were also caught in the sweep.

This mix underscored the indiscriminate nature of the takeover, highlighting that anyone associated with the American presence was deemed a target by the revolutionaries.

The Diplomatic Context Before the Siege

To fully appreciate the shock of the 1979 embassy takeover, it's important to recall the state of U.S.-Iran relations just a few years prior. In 1977, the United States and Iran enjoyed a friendly diplomatic relationship. The Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, and American influence in Iran was significant. However, beneath the surface, deep-seated discontent with the Shah's autocratic rule and his close ties to the West was festering among the Iranian populace.

The Iranian Revolution, which culminated in January 1979 with the Shah's departure from Iran and the return of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, fundamentally reshaped the country's political landscape. The new revolutionary government viewed the U.S. as a supporter of the deposed Shah and an imperialist power. When President Jimmy Carter allowed the Shah, who was gravely ill, to enter a New York hospital for medical treatment, it ignited a firestorm of anger and resentment in Iran, perceived as a provocative act that directly led to the storming of the embassy and the question of how many hostages did Iran take in 1979.

The Release of Thirteen: A Glimmer of Hope

While the initial count of Americans taken hostage on November 4, 1979, stood at 66, this number soon saw a reduction. After a short time, the students released 13 of the 66 hostages. This gesture, occurring within a few weeks of the initial takeover, was presented by the Iranian revolutionaries as a humanitarian act, primarily involving women and African American personnel. The reasoning behind these specific releases was framed as a demonstration of Islamic compassion and an attempt to differentiate between perceived "oppressors" and those who were seen as victims of American society.

The release of these 13 individuals provided a brief, albeit fleeting, moment of hope for the remaining captives and their families. It also slightly altered the precise answer to "how many hostages did Iran take in 1979" for the long haul of the crisis. While 66 were initially seized, the number of individuals held for the extended duration of 444 days was fewer. This reduction brought the active hostage count down to 53. However, even this number would see one more adjustment before the final resolution.

The Core Group: 52 Held for 444 Days

After the initial releases, the core group of American captives stabilized at 52 individuals. These 52 U.S. citizens were held captive for an astonishing 444 days, a period that tested the limits of diplomacy, endurance, and international law. This is the definitive number that most historical accounts refer to when discussing the Iran Hostage Crisis, as these were the individuals who endured the full, prolonged ordeal until its conclusion on January 20, 1981. The Iranians held the American diplomats hostage for 444 days, making this period one of the longest and most challenging hostage situations in modern history.

The duration of their captivity, 444 days, became synonymous with the crisis itself. It was a period filled with intense negotiations, failed rescue attempts, and immense psychological pressure on the hostages and their families. The world watched, transfixed, as the standoff unfolded, highlighting the fragility of international relations and the profound impact of revolutionary fervor.

The Agony of 444 Days

For the 52 Americans held captive, the 444 days were an unimaginable ordeal. They were subjected to various forms of psychological pressure, including mock executions, solitary confinement, and constant uncertainty about their fate. Their living conditions varied, but none were comfortable. They were often blindfolded, moved frequently, and deprived of regular contact with the outside world. The psychological toll was immense, leaving lasting scars on many of the former captives. The crisis became a daily fixture on news broadcasts, keeping the plight of the 52 Americans at the forefront of global attention and continually prompting the question: how many hostages did Iran take in 1979, and for how long?

The Canadian Six: A Secret Escape

Amidst the chaos of the embassy takeover, a remarkable story of courage and clandestine diplomacy unfolded. Six American diplomats managed to evade capture during the initial storming of the embassy. They found refuge in the homes of Canadian diplomats in Tehran. For weeks, they lived in secret, their presence unknown to their Iranian captors. This covert operation, later dramatized in the film "Argo," saw the Canadian government, with assistance from the CIA, orchestrate their daring escape from Iran on January 27, 1980, using fake Canadian passports. Americans welcomed the six freed hostages by Canadian diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis in 1980. While these six were part of the initial embassy personnel, their successful escape meant they were not counted among the 52 held for the full 444 days, a nuance critical to accurately answering how many hostages did Iran take in 1979.

The Demands and Diplomatic Breakdown

The primary demand of the Iranian students and, by extension, the revolutionary government, was clear: they demanded the United States return the deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was in a New York hospital. This demand was rooted in the deep-seated anger over the Shah's regime, perceived U.S. interference in Iranian affairs, and a desire to bring the former monarch to justice in Iran. The students also sought an apology from the U.S. for its historical support of the Shah and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held in American banks.

The U.S. government, under President Jimmy Carter, refused to meet the demand for the Shah's return, citing humanitarian reasons and the principle of asylum. This impasse led to a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations. The U.S. severed diplomatic ties after Iranian students took U.S. Embassy hostages in 1979, a move that further escalated tensions and complicated any potential resolution. The crisis quickly transformed into a test of wills, with both sides unwilling to concede on core principles. Diplomatic efforts, often mediated by third parties, were constantly thwarted by the revolutionary government's shifting demands and internal divisions within Iran.

The standoff had severe repercussions. It isolated Iran on the international stage and placed immense pressure on the Carter administration. A failed rescue attempt, Operation Eagle Claw, in April 1980, tragically resulted in the deaths of eight American servicemen and further underscored the complexity and danger of the situation. Diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S. officially broke down in July 1980 over the crisis, cementing a deep rift that continues to impact their relationship to this day.

The Aftermath and Resolution: January 20, 1981

The resolution of the Iran Hostage Crisis was as dramatic as its beginning. After 444 agonizing days, the crisis came to an end on January 20, 1981. This date was no coincidence; it was the very day of Ronald Reagan's inauguration as President of the United States. Minutes after President Jimmy Carter left office in 1981, the 52 American hostages were freed, marking the conclusion of one of the longest hostage crises in modern history.

The release was the result of intense, last-minute negotiations facilitated by Algeria, culminating in the Algiers Accords. These agreements outlined the terms of the hostages' release, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets in the U.S. and a commitment from the U.S. not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs. The timing was a poignant moment for President Carter, who had dedicated much of his final year in office to resolving the crisis, which ultimately torpedoed his presidency and contributed to his defeat in the 1980 election.

The return of the hostages was met with jubilant celebrations across America. For the former captives, it was the end of a harrowing ordeal and the beginning of a long journey of recovery and readjustment. The Iran hostage crisis would bring the United States to a state of near war with Iran, forever altering the trajectory of their relationship. The Shah of Iran never returned to Iran and died in exile in Egypt in July 1980, a few months before the crisis concluded, removing one of the key points of contention, yet the animosity persisted.

The Legacy of the Crisis: A Turning Point in U.S.-Iran Relations

The Iran Hostage Crisis was far more than just a diplomatic standoff; it was a watershed moment that profoundly reshaped the relationship between the United States and Iran, setting a course for decades of animosity and mutual incomprehension. A look back on the aftermath of the Iranian hostage crisis 43 years later reveals a complex tapestry of geopolitical shifts, enduring mistrust, and a deeply entrenched rivalry.

The crisis solidified the image of the United States as the "Great Satan" in Iran, a narrative that became central to the Islamic Republic's revolutionary ideology. Conversely, in the U.S., Iran was increasingly viewed as a rogue state, unpredictable and hostile. This perception was reinforced when the U.S. classified Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984, citing its support for militant groups, a classification that has had significant implications for international policy and sanctions.

The events of 1979 and the subsequent hostage crisis were deeply intertwined with the broader Iranian Revolution. The 1979 revolution, which brought together Iranians across many different social groups, has its roots in Iran’s long history of seeking independence from foreign influence. The embassy takeover was a powerful symbol of this newfound sovereignty and a rejection of perceived Western dominance. It also served to consolidate the power of the revolutionary government, demonstrating its ability to defy a global superpower.

The crisis taught both nations harsh lessons. For the U.S., it underscored the vulnerabilities of its diplomatic missions and the need for more robust security measures. For Iran, it demonstrated the power of popular mobilization and the effectiveness of asymmetric warfare in challenging established global powers. The phrase "how many hostages did Iran take in 1979" became a shorthand for a defining moment of defiance and a harbinger of future tensions.

The legacy of the Iran Hostage Crisis continues to reverberate in current events. It is a foundational event that informs the deep mistrust, the lack of direct diplomatic ties, and the ongoing geopolitical friction between Washington and Tehran. Understanding this crisis is essential for comprehending the intricate dynamics of the Middle East and the complex challenges of international diplomacy in a post-revolutionary world. It truly entangled two nations in a cycle of vengeance and mutual incomprehension that endures to this day.

Answering the Core Question: How Many Hostages Did Iran Take in 1979?

To definitively answer the question, "how many hostages did Iran take in 1979," we must consider the progression of events:

Initial Capture: On November 4, 1979, 66 Americans were taken hostage at the Embassy of the United States in Tehran. This was the immediate count of individuals seized during the embassy takeover.
Early Releases: Shortly after the initial capture, 13 of these 66 hostages were released, primarily women and African Americans, by the Iranian students for humanitarian and political reasons.
Long-Term Captivity: This left a core group of 52 Americans who were held captive for the full duration of the crisis. These 52 individuals endured 444 days of captivity until their release on January 20, 1981.
Secret Escape: It is also important to note that an additional 6 Americans managed to evade capture and were secretly spirited out of Iran by Canadian diplomats. While they were embassy personnel, they were not held hostage by the Iranians.

Therefore, while 66 Americans were initially seized, the most commonly referenced and historically significant number for "how many hostages did Iran take in 1979" refers to the 52 U.S. citizens who were held for the agonizing 444 days. This figure encapsulates the prolonged suffering, the diplomatic deadlock, and the profound impact of an event that reshaped U.S.-Iran relations for decades to come. The Iran hostage crisis was a tense diplomatic standoff between Iran and the United States, lasting 444 days from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981, with 52 individuals at its heart.

Conclusion

The Iran Hostage Crisis stands as a stark reminder of the complexities and volatilities of international relations. The question of "how many hostages did Iran take in 1979" leads us through a dramatic timeline: from the initial seizure of 66 Americans, through the release of 13, to the enduring captivity of 52 individuals for an unprecedented 444 days. This crisis was not merely a diplomatic incident; it was a human drama that profoundly affected the lives of those held captive, their families, and the geopolitical landscape of the late 20th century.

The legacy of this crisis continues to shape the narrative between the U.S. and Iran, serving as a foundational event in their deeply adversarial relationship. Understanding the precise numbers and the context surrounding them is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the historical roots of current tensions. We hope this article has provided a clear and comprehensive answer to your questions about this pivotal moment in history.

What are your thoughts on the long-term impact of the Iran Hostage Crisis? Share your insights in the comments below! If you found this article informative, please consider sharing it with others who might be interested, and explore other historical analyses on our site.

The 52 Iran Hostages Felt Forgotten. Here’s What They Wish Would Happen

Former Iran Hostages Are Divided on Jimmy Carter and a Sabotage Claim

The 1979 Iran hostage crisis gripped the country and may have cost a

Redefining Progress With Purpose