In January 1979, Iran was in turmoil. The country, once ruled by the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, a staunch ally of the United States, was overthrown and Ayatollah Khomeini took power. In this climate of tension, the United States made a decision that would inflame tempers: they welcomed the Shah on their soil for medical reasons. This gesture, perceived as a provocation by the new Iranian regime, fueled anger.
Over the months, relations between Iran and the United States deteriorated, and anti-American demonstrations increased. On November 4, 1979, everything changed when the United States embassy in Tehran was stormed by a group of 300 to 400 Iranian students.. Motivated by a desire to end American interference in Iran’s internal affairs, they hope to strengthen the position of the new Islamic regime. Once inside, they captured 52 Americans and held them hostage. Everything is carefully planned. The hostages are paraded in front of television cameras, blindfolded and with their hands tied. These images quickly went around the world.
In this chaos, six people managed to quietly escape from the embassy. But Tehran’s streets are closely guarded by militiamen and soldiers and danger is everywhere. If these Americans are discovered, they risk being captured again by Iranian leaders. The situation then becomes a question of life or death…
Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor, aware of the imminent dangers for American diplomats hidden in Tehran, alerted American authorities to avoid a major diplomatic crisis. As an ally, he hopes to mobilize the resources needed to orchestrate a rescue operation. The CIA then develops a plan worthy of the greatest Hollywood films. The intelligence agency is considering an exfiltration, with a risky plan: to disguise the six American diplomats as Canadians employed by a fictitious production company located in Hollywood. An operation called “Canadian Caper”.
The incredible exfiltration of American diplomats: a plan worthy of Hollywood
Every detail is carefully thought out to bring this deception to life. The Ottawa government agrees to provide real-fake passports and visas. A science fiction film script titled Argo is written, storyboards are created, and advertisements are placed in trade magazines to announce the alleged filming. Business cards are even printed for each team member.
This cover-up is intended to convince Iranian authorities that the diplomats are nothing more than a film crew on location, and not fugitives seeking to flee the country. To carry out this perilous mission, you must act with absolute discretion. The diplomats were then separated into two groups: two remained in the apartment of Ken Taylor, the Canadian ambassador, while the other three were hidden in an embassy residence. Shortly after, a sixth diplomat, taking refuge in the Swedish embassy, was transferred to join the group. Everything is done to prevent them from being discovered…
But now an error in the papers threatens to cause the operation to fail. The visas, already sent to Tehran through Canadian diplomatic mail, contain inconsistencies that could arouse the suspicions of the Iranian authorities. Antonio Mendez, the brains of the operation, knows that there is no room for error. With composure and determination, he personally went to Tehran with an expert in forged documents to ensure that the visas were accepted by the Iranian authorities. He also coordinates the final preparations and ensures that everyone knows their role and their false identity. Meanwhile, the Iranians search the American embassy and begin to realize that certain officials are missing… The noose is tightening.
Passing through Tehran airport: the ultimate ordeal
On January 27, 1980, Antonio Mendez, his colleague, and the six American diplomats, aware of the stakes, prepared to experience one of the most stressful days of their existence. The diplomats, armed with their skillfully falsified passports, head towards Tehran airport. Mark Lijek, accompanied by his wife, was the first to go to the controls. They pass all the roadblocks without arousing suspicion, their cover holds good. Once on board the flight Swissairon the way to Zurich, the tension finally begins to subside. It is really only after leaving Iranian airspace that they realize that the worst is behind them.
The operation was hailed by the international community and this incredible spy story would later inspire the film Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, who won the Oscar for best film in 2013, proving that sometimes reality surpasses fiction. As for the other 52 American hostages held in the embassy, the United States deployed various strategies to secure their release, including economic sanctions and a failed military rescue operation. Eventually, they will be released on January 20, 1981the very day of Ronald Reagan’s accession to the presidency, after 444 days of captivity, thus marking the end of a major diplomatic crisis.
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