The Algiers Accords were signed at a time when Iran had the upper hand in dealing with the US. After many attempts at diplomacy failed to release the US personnel, the Carter administration launched “Operation Eagle Claw,” a covert military operation on April 24, 1980, aimed at rescuing its personnel in Tehran. The operation turned into a fiasco when severe weather in the Iranian desert city of Tabas and mechanical failures caused Jimmy Carter to abort the operation. Eight US service representatives died, one transport plane and one helicopter were destroyed in a collision, and five additional helicopters were either abandoned or captured by Iranian forces. Then, after 444 days of Iran not blinking and holding the Americans, a frustrated and desperate US president signed the Algiers Accords, having, of course, no intention of abiding by them. More
