26. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency1
Iran: Forces Occupying the US Embassy in Tehran
[portion marking not declassified]
Summary
There are conflicting reports on the composition of the forces occupying the US Embassy in Tehran. The principal organization involved may be the “Islamic Monotheists,” a group of Islamic militants which has declared its loyalty to Ayatollah Khomeini, but which apparently has been heavily infiltrated by leftists whose loyalty to Khomeini is probably only a protective measure. Leftists in the group may have links to a radical Palestinian organization, [2 lines not declassified].
Spokesmen for this group have remained adamant in refusing any negotiated compromise that does not include the return of the Shah to Iran for “trial.” If a basis for negotiation short of returning the Shah receives support from Khomeini, the latent ideological differences among those occupying the Embassy could cause dissension within the group and confusion over policy. It is unlikely, however, that the group would continue to hold the hostages if Khomeini ordered them released. [portion marking not declassified]
The group occupying the Embassy reportedly numbers 150 to 200. Reports of security measures, including the posting of guards equipped with light arms both inside and outside the Embassy gates, indicate they are well organized. The hostages are dispersed among at least three separate buildings in the Embassy compound, and relations between the hostages and their captors reportedly are good. [portion marking not declassified]
[Omitted here is a schematic of Tehran.]
Occupation of the Embassy
On 4 November a group identifying itself only as the “Muslim Student Followers of the Imam’s Policies” occupied the US Embassy in Tehran. The incident followed a pattern that has been frequently repeated since Khomeini took power in Iran last February—that is, [Page 59] groups taking a specific action in Khomeini’s name following his general policy statements. [3½ lines not declassified]
Although individual members of the occupying forces are reportedly equipped with light arms, the initial entry into the Embassy came as a protest demonstration rather than an armed attack. Some 400 to 500 people were reportedly involved in the initial entry. Their number apparently has since been reduced to about 150 to 200. [portion marking not declassified]
The occupying group is well organized. There is a security force of 20 to 30 men outside the Embassy gates, some are carrying walkie-talkies, to control the crowd of anti-US demonstrators on the street. Five or six of these guards are outside the main gate and three or four are at each of the other gates or on patrol around the Embassy in several jeep-type vehicles and reportedly are armed with G–3 rifles. Watch posts reportedly have been established in buildings within at least a one-kilometer radius of the Embassy. According to one report, a group has been organized outside the Embassy to come to the assistance of the occupying forces if required. [portion marking not declassified]
Inside the Embassy gates, which are chained and padlocked, a further security force of 20 to 30 men is reportedly located in the parking lot. These guards also are armed with light weapons, including G–3 rifles, machineguns, machinepistols, grenade launchers, and handgrenades. The compound and adjacent buildings are illuminated at night. Despite the presence of armed guards and the daily demonstrations outside the Embassy gates, the atmosphere inside the Embassy compound is reportedly calm, and groups of up to 60 of the occupying force gather periodically for prayer services. The relations between the hostages and their captors is apparently good. The hostages, who have been dispersed to at least three separate buildings in the Embassy compound, have been provided with food and reading material from the Embassy library. There have been no reports of violence directed at the hostages. [portion marking not declassified]
Composition of the Occupying Forces
Although there are conflicting accounts on the forces occupying the Embassy, the principal group involved reportedly is the “Islamic Monotheists,” a group of Islamic militants devoted to Ayatollah Khomeini that was formed a number of years ago. The group has been infiltrated recently by leftists who reportedly compose nearly 50 percent of the present membership and who strongly influence the group’s policies. On 9 November, when documents apparently recovered from Embassy files were released, a statement was issued by spokesmen for the group that was couched in leftist jargon and contained sophisticated analysis which indicates that at least some members of the occupying group are university educated. [portion marking not declassified]
[Page 60]Spokesmen for the group have refused adamantly any negotiated compromise that does not include the return of the Shah to Iran for “trial” and have stated they will not obey an order from the Revolutionary Council to release the hostages unless the Shah is extradited to Iran. If a basis for negotiation short of returning the Shah receives any support from Khomeini, the apparent ideological differences among various members of the forces occupying the Embassy could result in dissension within the group and confusion over policy. It is unlikely, however, that the group would continue to hold the hostages if Khomeini ordered them released. [portion marking not declassified]
The Islamic militants who reportedly form the nucleus of the Islamic Monotheists may be an offshoot of the “Hezb-eh-Allah” (Party of God): groups of young, poorly educated, lower class Muslim fanatics, initially organized during the 1967–68 period by the Mujahidin-eh-Khalq guerrilla group. The Mujahidin organized the Hezb-eh-Allah as a means of drawing sympathizers and recruits from lower class opponents of the Shah. Hezb-eh-Allah groups were poorly organized and engaged in limited operations such as attacks on police to acquire weapons. These groups, which have gone by a variety of names, have in the past year stated their allegiance to Khomeini and have been involved in such activities as attacking liberal demonstrators protesting Khomeini’s policies. [portion marking not declassified]
The size and organization of groups such as the forces that have occupied the Embassy are difficult to determine. Unlike the two guerrilla groups active during the Shah’s regime—the Mujahidin-eh-Khalq and the Cherikha-yeh-Fedai-yeh-Khalq—that developed a cohesive ideology, tight organization, and security procedures that isolated them from the social environment, the more loosely organized groups of Islamic militants have tended to remain embedded in the society, drawing support from their families and coming together on an ad hoc basis. [portion marking not declassified]
The leftists among the forces occupying the Embassy may have infiltrated the Islamic organization as a means of advancing their goals under the protective coloration of ostensible fidelity to Ayatollah Khomeini. Khomeini has been strident in his attacks on the left, and the leftist guerrilla groups that played a prominent part in overthrowing the Shah have since been driven underground. [3½ lines not declassified]
Possible PFLP Involvement
[1 paragraph (5½ lines) not declassified]
We do not believe that the PFLP, whatever its involvement in the Embassy seizure, is in collusion with Iranian Government officials. Ayatollah Khomeini and his entourage have been deeply hostile toward the PFLP and other radical Palestinian groups. Prime Minister Bazar [Page 61] gan’s government was even more suspicious of radical Palestinian activity in Iran. We cannot rule out the possibility, however, that the PFLP is involved with at least some faction of the group occupying the Embassy. For a number of years the PFLP has had contacts with Iranian leftists. [portion marking not declassified]
The Palestine Liberation Organization’s Role
[1½ lines not declassified] Principal PLO leaders, however, moved quickly to gain what international and American good will they could from the situation. They presumably believe they gained a minor victory in the relaxation of Washington’s ban on contacts with them, but their primary goal appears to be the major improvement in their image if they can play a mediating role in obtaining the release of the hostages. [portion marking not declassified]
[Omitted here is the remainder of the memorandum.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Office of the Chief of Staff, Jordan’s Confidential Files, Box 35, Iran—CIA Reports, 11/79. Top Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. Prepared by [name not declassified] of the Iran Task Force; coordinated with the National Intelligence Officer for Near East and South Asia. Information available as of November 13 was used in the report’s preparation.↩