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The Iran Hostage crisis was a result of a widely accepted perception of the United States’ support of the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its attempt to negate the Iranian Revolution.
Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981. It was during that time that a joint covert rescue mission was sanctioned by the CIA and the Canadian government to rescue six American diplomats who had evaded capture by taking refuge in the Canadian Embassy.
The movie portrays the story of how the CIA agent Tony Mendez went to Iran and rescued the six American diplomats under the ruse of making a fake film. The movie was widely acclaimed and won the academy award for the Best Picture, Best adapted Screenplay and Best film editing.
The CIA’s twitter handle thanked Ben Affleck for telling the story of the mission and then went on to separate facts from fiction presented in the movie.
This is how the Argo mission really went down according to the CIA:
35th anniversary of Iran Hostage Crisis: The Release: January 20, 1981 http://t.co/lT8fQvPQYi Tomorrow: #ARGO #HISTINT
— CIA (@CIA) November 6, 2014
We love #Argo, @TheAcademy award winning film by @BenAffleck. Today we tell you what’s "reel" vs. "real". pic.twitter.com/QgFC014kUe
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: All involved in the operation were innovative, brave, & creative. Thank you @BenAffleck for making a film that reflects this.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: When the US Embassy is overtaken the 6 US diplomats go right to the Canadian ambassador's residence to live for the 3 months.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: When the US Embassy is overtaken the 6 US diplomats go right to the Canadian ambassador's residence to live for the 3 months.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: 5 of them went to many different places until they ended up at the homes of the Canadian Ambassador & the Dep. Chief of Mission.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: 1 American slept on the floor of the Swedish embassy before making his way to the Canadian Ambassador’s home after 2 weeks.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: Only one CIA officer goes to Tehran to help exfiltrate the six American diplomats. pic.twitter.com/iFEcrBzlyb
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: Two CIA officers with notable forgery and exfiltration skills used their talents & knowledge to get the six out of Iran safely.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The CIA officer and the six diplomats go into town to scout locations. pic.twitter.com/2gx2sHjPBO
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: They never went to the marketplace to scout a location. The six hid in the Canadian’s homes for 79 days. pic.twitter.com/szTgt9stvb
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The mission is called off the night before they are scheduled to depart. pic.twitter.com/j4h0at57Sq
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: Carter gave approval prior to the CIA team flying to Tehran, Iran. The details were approved by policymakers in Ottawa and DC.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: The night before the exfiltration the team received final approval; last line in that approval: "See you later, exfiltrator."
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: Airline tickets are not waiting at the counter and have to be rechecked before the tickets are authorized and confirmed.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: The Canadians had already purchased the tickets for the Americans. There were no issues at the counter nor the checkpoints.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The Americans are detained at the airport by security guards & a call is made back to “Studio Six” to verify their identity.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: It didn’t happen. An early flight was picked so airline officials would be sleepy & Revolutionary Guards would still be in bed.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: Shredded documents are pieced together to reveal the face of one of the Americans & the plane is chased down the runway.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: Skilled carpet weavers did reconstruct shredded documents, but they didn’t reveal one of the Americans at the last moment.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: There was an hour long mechanical delay, other than that the escape could not have gone better. #nochase pic.twitter.com/a0TnVeBgBt
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The plane clears Iranian air space and the Americans cheer and celebrate.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: That happened; there was even a round of celebratory Bloody Marys. #ThankYouCanada
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
