Nearly 35 years ago , Iranian revolutionaries stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and began a painful chapter for America as the `` Great Satan . '' Today , the building where anti-Americanism raged and captives were held for 444 days is now an Islamic cultural center and a propaganda museum of sorts for the Islamic Revolution . CNN 's Chief National Security Correspondent Jim Sciutto visited the complex this week . It is rare for westerners to walk its halls . Although the two-story building shows no signs of terror from the 1979-81 hostage crisis , it remains a symbol of mistrust that still endures for many . Upon entering , the counter area where U.S. Marine guards had been posted when the embassy was seized is intact , as is the colorful tile work on some of the walls . There are offices on the first floor , while exhibits are displayed on the second . Upstairs is an office where CNN 's guide says the CIA was housed . The entrance is the door to a vault . `` Is it the same combination that it was ? '' Sciutto asks . `` Yes , '' the guide responds , explaining the students who stormed the building extracted the combination from hostages during what he said were `` negotiations . '' Past the vault door , the Iranians claim was the secure section where the CIA worked . That 's a reason the guide gives for the takeover , which was dramatized in the Oscar-winning film Argo . While many Iranians have grown disillusioned with the Islamic revolution , anti-American anger endures . `` Do you still believe it was justified to hold the Americans as hostages ? '' the guide is asked . `` Definitely , yes . '' he says . `` Based on international law the U.S. embassy should function as the embassy and not interfere in internal affairs . It 's like somebody is snooping around your house . What would you do ? '' Each room and every piece of equipment is an exhibit . There is a sound-proof meeting room , encrypted Telex machines -- one marked as belonging to the National Security Agency -- and the shredders said to have been used by embassy staff to destroy secret documents as the diplomatic facility fell to the revolutionaries . Revolutionary propaganda is everywhere . Bright red murals cover the main stairway walls leading to the second floor . The paintings tell a familiar Middle Eastern conspiracy theory claiming the United States was behind the September 11 , 2001 , attacks . `` Do you believe America brought down the twin towers ? '' the guide is asked about the World Trade Center in New York . `` For sure , yes , '' he replies adamantly . Why would America would kill its own people ? `` They wanted to make their people believe they are in danger so they could attack other countries , '' he says . `` Do you think that it 's possible a plane can crash such a building ? '' Officially , the United States and Iran have softened their tone more recently . The two are participating in international negotiations to curb Tehran 's nuclear ambitions over the long term in exchange for easing economic sanctions . An interim deal is in place for the next six months . `` Let 's say America and Iran both abide by the agreement . Can you ever imagine American diplomats returning to this embassy ? '' Sciutto asks the guide . He smiles and laughs . `` You can not trust America , '' he says . `` America is the Great Satan . ''
CIA tours old embassy building in U.S. - part time warp , part propaganda museum . It shows no sign of terror around Nearly 35 years ago hostage crisis . But counter area where Tehran Marine guards had been posted still intact . Murals reinforce conspiracy theories around two attacks .