Turmoil in Tehran

Most Americans are familiar with the Iranian hostage crisis that began on November 4, 1979. However, few people are aware of the chaotic events that took place during the year and half leading up to that momentous occasion. Gil Hodges, a Pan Am employee, tells the story of the Pan American team that in late 1977 wins a contract with the Imperial Iranian Air Force to construct and operate espionage sites along the Iran/Iraq border. Although the contract starts in a fairly routine manner, social order within the country soon starts to break down. Riots and demonstrations become more and more prevalent, and soon armed Iranian soldiers are required to ensure the employees can get to and from work safely. At the height of the protests, more than 10 percent of the country’s population was in the streets of most major cities. A prominent French newspaper called it the largest single demonstration in history.

As things get worse, Pan Am executives in New York and those in Florida are convinced that only American money can save the team if the shah is overthrown. With no guarantees that it will work, a plan is formulated to smuggle a large sum of money into the country. This money would be used to buy the teams freedom if necessary. The situation takes an auspicious turn when a Pan Am team member jeopardizes all their lives over an Iranian woman that he loves but is forbidden to marry.

An unlikely alliance is formed, including the in-country Pan Am team, their wives, friendly followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini, and a cabbie who had been Gil’s driver for over a year. This group was a part of a risky plan to save the Americans from a hostage situation or even death.