Posted on Nov 6, 2019
What would have happened to Iran had the radicals taken over the USSR Embassy instead? What do believe the USSR would have done?
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Last week, one of the two leaders of the US Embassy takeover in November, 1979 apologized to the USA. He also said that the group was considering between the US and the Russian Embassies in Teheran. What do you think would have happened?
1. Economic Embargo to force release of hostages 2. USSR does special operation to rescue hostages after negotiations fail 3. USSR attacks Iran after negotiations fail. 4. USSR Nukes Iran. 5. Other option not mentioned here.
In this Oct. 29, 2019, photo, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, one of the Iranian student leaders of the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover, speaks in an interview with The Associated Press, in Tehran, Iran. Asgharzadeh says he now regrets the seizure of the diplomatic compound and the 444-day hostage crisis that followed. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
"Like Jesus Christ, I bear all the sins on my shoulders," Asgharzadeh said.
In the years since, he has become a reformist politician and served prison time for his views. He has argued that Iran should work toward improving ties with the U.S., a difficult task amid President Trump's hawkish stance toward Tehran.
1. Economic Embargo to force release of hostages 2. USSR does special operation to rescue hostages after negotiations fail 3. USSR attacks Iran after negotiations fail. 4. USSR Nukes Iran. 5. Other option not mentioned here.
In this Oct. 29, 2019, photo, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, one of the Iranian student leaders of the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover, speaks in an interview with The Associated Press, in Tehran, Iran. Asgharzadeh says he now regrets the seizure of the diplomatic compound and the 444-day hostage crisis that followed. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
"Like Jesus Christ, I bear all the sins on my shoulders," Asgharzadeh said.
In the years since, he has become a reformist politician and served prison time for his views. He has argued that Iran should work toward improving ties with the U.S., a difficult task amid President Trump's hawkish stance toward Tehran.
Russia
Diplomacy
World History
Embassy
Tactics
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 12
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Knowing Russia, they probably would h ave wanted to bomb them out of existence.
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The USSR had yet to become 'officially' involved in Afghanistan for another month or so (late DEC 1979), but were building the required forces for the 'commitment of forces' in support of the communist government then in charge.
As a client state of the US (at that time) Iran was yet to fall into the sphere of influence of the Soviets. After the Ayatollah's take over and the consequent change of winds, the US supported Iraq in the long war between the two nations.
The USSR didn't see Spetznas in terms of how western special forces evolved with counter-terrorist roles generally until after the break-up of the Soviet Union; and despite Hollywood stories, the KGB was an internal organization. This type of mission would most likely fall to the GRU.
As was sen later in Lebanon with political kidnappings, it's highly likely a targeted series of retaliations would occur below the radar until securing the release of all hostages.
However, there is another aspect to consider, that of the security response at the embassy. Would the Soviet security force have shown the same restraint as dictated to the Marines at the American Embassy? If so, would the situation play out as above? If not, would the students refrain from shooting back and killing the embassy personnel rather than taking hostages?
The many 'what if's of' historical branches.
As a client state of the US (at that time) Iran was yet to fall into the sphere of influence of the Soviets. After the Ayatollah's take over and the consequent change of winds, the US supported Iraq in the long war between the two nations.
The USSR didn't see Spetznas in terms of how western special forces evolved with counter-terrorist roles generally until after the break-up of the Soviet Union; and despite Hollywood stories, the KGB was an internal organization. This type of mission would most likely fall to the GRU.
As was sen later in Lebanon with political kidnappings, it's highly likely a targeted series of retaliations would occur below the radar until securing the release of all hostages.
However, there is another aspect to consider, that of the security response at the embassy. Would the Soviet security force have shown the same restraint as dictated to the Marines at the American Embassy? If so, would the situation play out as above? If not, would the students refrain from shooting back and killing the embassy personnel rather than taking hostages?
The many 'what if's of' historical branches.
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LTC (Join to see)
Thank you for your in-depth analysis. Years ago, my dad and I were watching the James Bond movie the 1977 The Spy Who Loved Me . In the movie, there was a super tanker that was swallowing up American and Russian submarines. My that was swallowing up American and Russian submarine. He noticed that the Russian submarine crew wasn't present which means they did not give up. You are right, I doubt the Russians would have given up and they would have fired back and it would have been a bloody mess but the Russians would have held their ground. Thank you for your in-depth analysis of other at the Russian situation back in the later part of the 70s.
1SG (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Robert Mark Odom LTC (Join to see) MSgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SFC Ralph E Kelley SFC Ralph E Kelley SGT (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Robert Mark Odom LTC (Join to see) MSgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SFC Ralph E Kelley SFC Ralph E Kelley SGT (Join to see)
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SGT (Join to see)
Over the decades, Soviet embassies were attacked several times. Did they respond
with a targeted series of retaliations after each of those?
with a targeted series of retaliations after each of those?
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