Iran Marks 44th Anniversary of Failed US Operation in Tabas Desert
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran commemorated the 44th anniversary of a failed US military operation in the central Tabas Desert, launched in 1980 to release former US embassy staff held in Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
On April 25, 1980, the United States initiated Operation Eagle Claw, a covert military mission aimed at airlifting the US embassy staff detained in Tehran. However, a sandstorm struck, causing a crash that killed eight American servicemen and led to the mission's failure. Inspections revealed a helicopter collision with a C-130 Hercules transport plane, while five other helicopters were stranded.
The units involved in the operation hailed from the US Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
The Tabas incident occurred during former US president Jimmy Carter's administration, widely believed to have influenced his defeat in the 1980 presidential election.
Iran annually observes this event, viewing it as a symbol of the failure of US plots against the Islamic Republic.
Documents discovered during the embassy takeover indicated some American staff's involvement in spying for the US intelligence agencies. Ultimately, 52 Americans were held for 444 days in Tehran but were later released unharmed.