The students belonged to the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line and were in support of the Iranian Revolution.[227] Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for the next 444 days until they were finally freed immediately after Ronald Reagan succeeded Carter as president on January 20, 1981. During the crisis, Carter remained in isolation in the White House for more than 100 days, until he left to participate in the lighting of the National Menorah on the Ellipse.[228]
A month into the affair, Carter stated his commitment to resolving the dispute without "any military action that would cause bloodshed or arouse the unstable captors of our hostages to attack them or to punish them".[229] On April 7, 1980, Carter issued Executive Order 12205, imposing economic sanctions against Iran[230] and announced further government measures he deemed necessary to ensure a safe release.[231][232]
On April 24, 1980, Carter ordered Operation Eagle Claw to try to free the hostages. The mission failed, leaving eight American servicemen dead and causing the destruction of two aircraft.