Office of the Historian

309. Letter From Congressmen Guyer, Fascell, Gilman, and Broomfield to Acting Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Yadollah Sahabi and Members of the Iranian Parliament1

Washington, July 2, 1980
Dear Sirs:

As you begin to fulfill your duties as Members of the new Iranian Parliament, the undersigned Members of Congress of the United States of America share with you a deep understanding of the magnitude of the responsibilities which you have assumed as the elected representatives of your people. It is this sense of duty and responsibility that motivates us to express our sincere hope that our two nations and peoples can reach a better understanding of each other’s goals and aspirations for the future.

For this reason we express to you our deep concern about the deterioration of our relationships as a result of the continued holding of American citizens as hostages. Not only has this crisis resulted in a serious breach of U.S.-Iranian relations, but its continuation has created a critical global issue.

At a time when free nations are under attack from the forces of growing hegemony and expansionism, it is in the best interests of both of our nations to resolve this serious bilateral issue in order to confront the more imposing threats to world peace. Accordingly, while we are aware of all of the important domestic issues confronting your government, we urge you to give the hostage issue your highest and earliest priority as the first step in solving the more immediate and crucial threats that free nations face in the world today.

Sincerely,

  • Tennyson Guyer
  • Dante B. Fascell
  • Benjamin A. Gilman
  • William Broomfield
  1. Source: Department of State, Official Files of [P] David D. Newsom, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Lot 82D85, Iran Update Aug 1980. No classification marking. Attached to a July 8 briefing memorandum from Saunders to Muskie, Christopher, and Newsom entitled “Iran Update, July 8, 1980”. The letter was co-sponsored and signed by 187 Congressmen, whose names are appended to the memorandum. According to Saunders, Gilman initiated the letter. He asked that the letter, if approved, be sent through the Swiss, with prepared talking points. The talking points are not attached.↩