![]() In the aftermath of the attempt, we continue to hold the Government of Iran responsible for the safety and for the early release of the American hostages, who have been held so long. It was my decision to cancel it when problems developed in the placement of our rescue team for a future rescue operation. It was my decision to attempt the rescue operation. ![]() I ordered this rescue mission prepared in order to safeguard American lives, to protect America’s national interests, and to reduce the tensions in the world that have been caused among many nations as this crisis has continued. Accordingly, I made the decision to set our long-developed plans into operation. The readiness of our team to undertake the rescue made it completely practicable. This attempt became a necessity and a duty. With the steady unraveling of authority in Iran and the mounting dangers that were posed to the safety of the hostages themselves and the growing realization that their early release was highly unlikely, I made a decision to commence the rescue operations plans. This rescue attempt had to await my judgment that the Iranian authorities could not or would not resolve this crisis on their own initiative. ![]() However, a resolution of this crisis through negotiations and with voluntary action on the part of the Iranian officials was obviously then, has been, and will be preferable. To be feasible, this complex operation had to be the product of intensive planning and intensive training and repeated rehearsal. Planning for this rescue effort began shortly after our Embassy was seized, but for a number of reasons, I waited until now to put those rescue plans into effect. It was not undertaken with any feeling of hostility toward Iran or its people. It was not directed against Iran it was not directed against the people of Iran. The mission on which they were embarked was a humanitarian mission. To the families of those who died and who were wounded, I want to express the admiration I feel for the courage of their loved ones and the sorrow that I feel personally for their sacrifice. ![]() They knew then what hopes of mine and of all Americans they carried with them. I met with their leaders before they went on this operation. They were all volunteers they were all highly trained. We were all convinced that if and when the rescue operation had been commenced that it had an excellent chance of success. Our rescue team knew and I knew that the operation was certain to be difficult and it was certain to be dangerous. No knowledge of this operation by any Iranian officials or authorities was evident to us until several hours after all Americans were withdrawn from Iran. Those who were injured have gotten medical treatment, and all of them are expected to recover. Our people were immediately airlifted from Iran. But to my deep regret, eight of the crewmen of the two aircraft which collided were killed, and several other Americans were hurt in the accident. There was no fighting there was no combat. Other information about this rescue mission will be made available to the American people when it is appropriate to do so. Equipment failure in the rescue helicopters made it necessary to end the mission.Īs our team was withdrawing, after my order to do so, two of our American aircraft collided on the ground following a refueling operation in a remote desert location in Iran. Late yesterday, I cancelled a carefully planned operation which was underway in Iran to position our rescue team for later withdrawal of American hostages, who have been held captive there since November 4.
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