Office of the Historian

3. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, November 5, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Seizure of U.S. Embassy and Personnel

PARTICIPANTS

  • Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Beheshti
  • Henry Precht, Country Director for Iran
[Page 5]

Mr. Precht telephoned Ayatollah Beheshti to request his assistance in securing the release of Embassy personnel and evacuation of the Embassy compound by Iranian students. The request was couched in humanitarian terms and included statements of understanding for the views of the Iranian people and the aims of their revolution.

The Ayatollah replied that the Iranian people should be expected to become angry when a nation speaks of good relations but shelters Iran’s principal enemy. The Shah could have gone elsewhere for treatment. The presence of Bakhtiar and others in England has also angered the Iranian people and has resulted in the occupation of the UK Embassy as well. Iran will go its own way and although it wants equal relations with all countries, will remain independent.

The students have emphasized that they will take care of the security and safety of the hostages. We cannot oppose the zeal of the nation; there can be no separation of the Iranian leadership from the desires of the Iranian people. Meanwhile, Beheshti advised the U.S. to consider carefully “the true causes of happenings which nobody likes.” The Iranian authorities will do their best to control the situation but much will depend upon the U.S. and UK reactions.

According to Beheshti, the USG must offer the Iranian people an acceptable answer to the question of the Shah’s presence in the United States. Statements on good relations can help to improve the situation and the Iranian authorities will expect such a statement.

Finally, Beheshti agreed to speak to other members of the Revolutionary Council and other decision-makers to see what might be done.

  1. Source: Department of State, Records of David D. Newsom, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Subject Files, 1978–1981, Lot 81D154, Memoranda of Conversation. Secret. Drafted by Stanley Escudero (IO/UNP). Copies were sent to Christopher, Newsom, Saunders, and Sick. Beheshti was in Tehran; Precht was in Washington.↩