The Iranian Embassy siege begins in London.

The Iranian Embassy siege, a harrowing and dramatic event, captivated the world's attention from April 30 to May 5, 1980, as it unfolded on British soil. The crisis began when a group of six armed men, members of the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan (DRFLA), stormed the Iranian Embassy at Prince's Gate in the affluent South Kensington area of London. This act was a politically motivated effort to draw international attention to the perceived oppression of the Arab minority in Iran's oil-rich Khuzestan Province, which the group referred to as "Arabistan," and to demand its sovereignty.

Upon seizing the embassy, the gunmen took 26 individuals hostage. This diverse group included not only Iranian diplomats and embassy staff but also several visitors, and crucially, PC Trevor Lock, a brave British police officer who had been on guard duty outside the building. Their core demands were explicit: the immediate release of 91 Arab prisoners held in Khuzestan, and a guarantee of safe passage for themselves out of the United Kingdom.

From the very outset, the British government, then under the resolute leadership of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, adopted an unwavering stance. The decision was swiftly made by the COBRA (Cabinet Office Briefing Room A) committee that safe passage for the terrorists would not be granted under any circumstances, thereby initiating a tense, six-day siege. Over the initial days, seasoned police negotiators engaged in complex discussions with the hostage-takers. Through a combination of strategic dialogue and minor concessions, such as ensuring the gunmen's demands were broadcast on British television and providing food, five hostages were successfully secured and released, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the crisis.

However, as the siege dragged into its sixth day, Monday, May 5, the atmosphere inside the embassy grew increasingly volatile. Frustrated by the lack of progress and the government's refusal to meet their primary demands, the hostage-takers resorted to a horrific escalation. They brutally executed Abbas Lavasani, the embassy's chief press attaché, and threw his body out onto the street. This heinous act served as a grim and undeniable signal, compelling the British authorities to conclude that peaceful resolution was no longer viable. The Special Air Service (SAS), the highly secretive and elite special forces regiment of the British Army, was given the definitive green light to launch "Operation Nimrod."

In a breathtaking display of precision and courage, the SAS raid commenced around 7:23 PM. Troopers executed a daring entry, abseiling from the embassy's roof and simultaneously breaching windows on multiple floors, using stun grenades to disorient the terrorists. The entire operation was a whirlwind of controlled chaos, completed with remarkable speed in a mere 17 minutes. During the intense firefight that ensued, five of the six hostage-takers were killed. Tragically, one more hostage, Ali Samadzadeh, an Iranian student, also lost his life in the crossfire within the embassy, and several others sustained injuries. The remaining 19 hostages, however, were successfully rescued from their terrifying ordeal. The sole surviving gunman, Fowzi Nejad, was captured, later convicted, and served 27 years in British prisons before being paroled and subsequently deported. A thorough inquest following the raid meticulously examined the SAS's actions, ultimately clearing them of any wrongdoing.

The Iranian Embassy siege, though a contained incident in London, resonated far beyond its immediate geographical scope. While the broader geopolitical landscape saw the devastating Iran–Iraq War erupt later that same year and the American hostage crisis in Tehran continue until January 1981, the London siege had distinct and profound domestic and international repercussions. The SAS, previously a clandestine unit operating largely in the shadows, was dramatically thrust into the public consciousness, its professionalism and efficacy globally lauded. This newfound fame led to an unprecedented surge in applications from aspiring recruits and a significant increase in demand for their specialized counter-terrorism expertise from foreign governments. For Prime Minister Thatcher's government, the decisive and successful resolution of the siege undeniably bolstered her burgeoning reputation for strong and resolute leadership, solidifying the image of the "Iron Lady." The embassy building itself, extensively damaged by fire during the assault, remained closed for a significant period, only reopening its doors in 1993. The dramatic SAS raid, televised live on a Bank Holiday Monday evening, captivated a nation, becoming an indelible part of British history. It served as a pivotal career moment for several journalists who provided live coverage and has since been immortalized in countless documentaries, books, films, and television series, cementing its place in popular culture as a testament to both terror and heroism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who were the hostage-takers, and what was their primary objective?
The hostage-takers were members of the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan (DRFLA), an Iranian Arab separatist group. Their main goal was to achieve sovereignty for Iran's Khuzestan Province, which they referred to as "Arabistan," and to pressure the Iranian government into releasing Arab prisoners.
What were their specific demands during the siege?
The gunmen demanded the release of 91 Arab prisoners held in Khuzestan Province and safe passage for themselves out of the United Kingdom, presumably to another country sympathetic to their cause.
How many hostages were there initially, and what was their ultimate fate?
There were initially 26 hostages. During the negotiations phase, five hostages were released. One hostage was brutally executed by the gunmen before the SAS raid, and another tragically died during the raid itself. The remaining 19 hostages were successfully rescued by the SAS.
What was "Operation Nimrod"?
"Operation Nimrod" was the codename given to the daring rescue mission executed by the Special Air Service (SAS) to storm the Iranian Embassy, neutralize the hostage-takers, and free the remaining captives.
What was the role of the Special Air Service (SAS) in the siege's resolution?
The SAS, the British Army's elite special forces unit, was tasked with directly intervening in the siege. They planned and executed the lightning-fast assault on the embassy, entering through multiple points, engaging the terrorists, and ultimately rescuing the hostages.
What was the long-term impact of the Iranian Embassy siege on the SAS and British politics?
The siege significantly boosted the public profile and international reputation of the SAS, leading to increased applications and demand for their counter-terrorism expertise globally. For Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government, the successful and decisive handling of the crisis reinforced her image as a strong leader. The raid also became a defining moment in modern British history and a notable event in popular culture.
Who was the sole surviving gunman, and what became of him?
The sole surviving gunman was Fowzi Nejad. He was captured during the SAS raid, subsequently convicted of various charges, and served 27 years in British prisons before being granted parole and deported from the UK in 2008.