Today, most American adults alive in 1979 remember the Iranian Revolution, which triggered a series of events including the taking of American hostages, some for 444 days.

At the time, Ayatollah Khomeini was more than a religious zealot. He ruled Iran with an iron fist. His image — a face as grim as the devil — appeared on flyers, posters, and public displays, symbolizing to the entire region and to the West the harsh and oppressive nature of his regime.

President Jimmy Carter’s response to the crisis was viewed as ineffective. He authorized a military campaign, called Operation Eagle Claw, in April 1980 to free the hostages, but it failed. The helicopters commissioned for the rescue were not suited to the desert environment, and the mission ultimately collapsed. In many ways, Carter never recovered from this failure.

On the day of Ronald Reagan’s inauguration, the hostages who had been held for 444 days were released. Apparently, the Reagan administration engaged in back-channel negotiations to secure their release, as opposed to the notion that Iran acted out of fear of Reagan’s policies.

Reagan stated plainly that Iran was a dangerous nation. He criticized its leadership and its treatment of citizens, but he did little to curtail Iran. Further, he brought shame to his administration by selling arms to Iran. His successor, George H.W. Bush,........

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