Geographic Mental Maps and Foreign Policy Change

14Maps of Fear and War

14.1The Iranian Hostage Crisis

The Shah’s arrival in the US created considerable angst among the Carter Administration’s key decision makers. Vance had recommended that the Administration inform the Bazargan government of the Shah’s medical condition and of his need to be treated in the US. The US would then proceed in accordance with the Iranian reaction (Sick, 1985). Carter rejected this suggestion and instructed the State Department to merely inform Iran that the Shah would be admitted in the US for humanitarian purposes (Sick, 1985).204

Bazargan and Yazdi were displeased with the American decision. According to them, the Shah’s admission in the US would create problems in US–Iranian relations. Nevertheless, they acquiesced ...