He is best known for smuggling six American diplomats out of Iran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis by posing as a film producer. Ben Affleck, who directed Argo and starred as Mendez, called him “a true American hero”.

Did the hostages in Argo get out?

A diplomatic standoff ensued. The hostages were held for 444 days, being released on January 20, 1981.

Is the movie Argo a true story?

The movie Argo, up for seven Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards, is based on the true story of the CIA rescue of Americans in Tehran during the 1979 hostage crisis. … In 1980, a CIA agent named Tony Mendez sneaked into Iran and spirited away six American diplomats who were hiding with Canadians.

Was Argo banned in Iran?

It is illegal to screen the movie in Iran — Mohammad Hosseini, the minister of culture and Islamic guidance, calls Argo “an offensive act” driven by “evil intentions” — and last week Iranian director Ataollah Salmanian said he is writing and directing Iran’s cinematic response.

How many hostages were killed in the Iranian embassy?

Iranian Embassy siege (Operation Nimrod)United KingdomDemocratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan (DRFLA)Commanders and leaders

Did the Argo plan work?

Argo’s central, nutty storyline—in which the CIA establishes a fake movie production, complete with a full script and ads in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, in order to rescue six Americans stranded in post-revolutionary Iran—is 100 percent true, and pretty incredible.

Who were the 6 hostages in Argo?

Robert Anders, Cora Amburn-Lijek, Mark Lijek, Joseph Stafford, Kathleen Stafford and Lee Schatz were the six American diplomats who were harboured by Canadian diplomats Ken Taylor and John Sheardown and exfiltrated from Tehran in 1980.

Why is it called Argo?

In Greek mythology, Jason’s ship “The Argo” was named after its builder, a man named Argus. Those who sailed on it were called “The Argonauts”.

Where was Argo filmed?

Although most of the movie takes place in Tehran, Iran, not a single minute of film was shot there. Other than location shoots in Istanbul, Turkey and Washington, D.C., the majority of Argo was filmed in Los Angeles.

Are any of the Iranian hostages still alive?

It’s now more than 40 years since their release. The group of surviving hostages is down to 35, and the losses are coming faster now. Two died this month, including former Army medic Donald Hohman last week. “We are not getting any younger,” said David M.

Article first time published on

How were the Iran hostages treated?

The Iran hostages — who dealt with physical and psychological torture, including instances of solitary confinement and mock execution — have also had to fight for restitution since they were released because of an agreement that barred them from seeking damages for their imprisonment.

How did the hostages in Iran get released?

The Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s political and religious leader, took over the hostage situation, refusing all appeals to release the hostages, even after the U.N. … On the day of Reagan’s inauguration, the United States freed almost $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and the hostages were released after 444 days.

Who were the 52 hostages in Iran?

  • Thomas L. Ahern, Jr., 48, McLean, VA. …
  • Clair Cortland Barnes, 35, Falls Church, VA. Communications specialist.
  • William E. Belk, 44, West Columbia, SC. …
  • Robert O. Blucker, 54, North Little Rock, AR. …
  • Donald J. Cooke, 26, Memphis, TN. …
  • William J. Daugherty, 33, Tulsa, OK. …
  • Lt. Cmdr. …
  • Sgt.

What did Argo stand for?

Acronym. Definition. ARGO. Association of Remote Gambling Operators (now Remote Gambling Association)

What happened Ian Mendez?

It appears that Ian might have been singled out by name because, as an “in memoriam” credit references at the end, the real-life Ian Mendez died from colon cancer in 2010.

How does Argo end?

Despite their escape, there are still 52 other American hostages being held, so Canada takes full responsibility for the rescue mission. That means that even though Mendez and Chambers were awarded an Intelligence Star by the United States government for their efforts, the award must stay confidential.

What was the effect of Carter's attempts to free the hostages in Iran?

What was the effect of Carter’s attempts to free the hostages in Iran? The hostages were returned to the United States immediately. The United States increased its purchase of Iranian oil.

Who rescued the Iran hostages?

On April 11, 1980, President Jimmy Carter approved a military operation to rescue the remaining 52 American hostages from the hands of young revolutionaries who had seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979.

How long were the Iran hostages held?

The Iran hostage crisis was an international crisis (1979–81) in which militants in Iran seized 66 American citizens at the U.S. embassy in Tehrān and held 52 of them hostage for more than a year.