Mahmoud Ahmadinejad And The 1979 Hostage Crisis
On June 29, 2005, shortly after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the Iranian presidential election, several major news outlets publicized allegations that he gunned down several Americans in the 1979–1981 Iran Hostage Crisis.
Ahmadinejad and his political supporters have denied these allegations. Even his political opponents in Iran have specifically denied the allegations.
On June 30, 2005, US President George W. Bush declared that these charges were serious.
The United States Department of Homeland Security initially found Ahmadeinjad ineligible for a visa to enter the US, citing "reason to believe" that he was involved in the seizure. The US Department of State interviewed hostages about their experiences.
A later CIA investigation determined "with relative certainty" that he was not involved in the takeover. Another U.S. official said of the report that there was "no evidence" that he was among the captors.
Read more about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad And The 1979 Hostage Crisis: Alleged Participation in The Planning and Leadership of The Embassy Takeover, Rejection By The CIA, Identification By Some Former Hostages, Identification By Former Iranian President Bani Sadr, Rejection By Former Hostage Takers, The Iran Focus Photograph Controversy
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