IRAN: FORCES OCCUPYING THE US EMBASSY IN TEHRAN

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00003467
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: February 2, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-00493
• Publication Date: January 1, 1979

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National
Foreign
Assessment
Center
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Warning Notice
Natiocal L
Info o As tic ��
Intelligence Sources
and Methods Involved
(WN INTEL)
Unauthorized Disclosure
Subject to Criminal Sanctions
This page is Con
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Summary
71513-Serret--
Iran: Forces Occupying
the US Embassy in Tehran
There are conflicting reports on the composition of the forces occupying the
US Embassy in Tehran. The principal organization involved may be the
"Islamic Monotheists," a group of Islamic militants which has declared its
loyalty to Ayatollah Khomeini, but which apparntly has been heavily
infiltrated by leftists whose loyalty to Khomeini is probably only a protective
measure. Leftists in the group may have links to a radical Palestinian
organization, but there is no evidence that members of Yasir Arafat's Fatah
organization were involved in planning or carrying out the occupation of the
Embassy.
Spokesmen for this group have remained adamant in refusing any
negotiated compromise that does not include the return of the Shah to Iran
for "trial." If a basis for negotiation short of returning the Shah receives
support from Khomeini, the latent ideological differences among those
occupying the Embassy could cause dissension within the group and
confusion over policy. It is unlikely, however, that the grou would continue
to hold the hostages if Khomeini ordered them released
The group occupying the Embassy reportedly numbers 150 to 200. Reports
of security measures, including the posting of guards equipped with light
arms both inside and outside the Embassy gates, indicate they are well
organized. The hostages are dispersed among at least three separate
buildings in the Embassy compound, and relations between the hostages and
their captors reportedly are good
This memorandum was prepared 4 of the Iran Task Force. It was
coordinated with the National Intelligence Officer for Near East and South Asia.
Information available as of 13 November was used in its preparation. Questions and
nts are welcome and should be directed to the Chief of the Iran Task Force on
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Iran: Forces Occupying
the US Embassy in Tehran
Occupation of the On 4 November a group identifying itself only as the "Muslim Student
� Embassy Followers of the Imam's Policies" occupied the US Embassy in Tehran. The
incident followed a pattern that has been frequently repeated since
Khomeini took power in Iran last February�that is, groups taking a specific
action in Khomeini's name following his general policy statements.
Although individual members of the occupying forces are reportedly
equipped with light arms, the initial entry into the Embassy came as a
,rotest demonstration rather than an armed attack. people
involved in the initial entr Their number apparently has
si��ed to about 150 to 200.
The occupying group is well organized. There is a security force of 20 to 30
men outside the Embassy gates, some are carrying walkie-talkies, to control
the crowd of anti-US demonstrators on the street. Five or six of these guards
are outside the main gate and three or four are at each of the other gates or
on patrol around the Embassy in several jeep-type vehicles and reportedly
are armed with G-3 rifles. Watch posts reportedly have been established in
n -kilometer radius of the Embass
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Composition of the
Occupying Forces
Although there are conflicting accounts on the forces occupying the
Embassy, the principal group involved reportedly is the "Islamic Monothe-
ists," a group of Islamic militants devoted to Ayatollah Khomeini that was
formed a number of years ago. The group has been infiltrated recently by
leftists who reportedly compose nearly 50 percent of the present membership
and who strongly influence the group's policies. On 9 November, when
documents apparently recovered from Embassy files were released, a
statement was issued by spokesmen for the group that was couched in leftist
jargon and contained scphisticated analysis which indicates that at least
some members of the cs:cupying group are university educated.
Spokesmen for the group have refused adamantly any negotiated compro-
mise that does not include the return of the Shah to Iran for "trial" and have
stated they will not obey an order from the Revolutionary Council to release
the hostages unless the Shah is extradited to Iran. If a basis for negotiation
short of returning the St ah receives any support from Khomeini, the
apparent ideological differences among various members of the forces
occupying the Embassy could result in dissension within the group and
confusion over policy. It is unlikely, however, that the group would continue
to hold the hostages if Khomeini ordered them released
The Islamic militants who reportedly form the nucleus of the Islamic
Monotheists may be an offshoot of the "Hezb-eh-Allah" (Party of God):
groups of young, poorly educated, lower class Muslim fanatics, initially
organized during the 1967-68 period by the Mujahidin-eh-Khalq guerrilla
group. The Mujahidin organized the Hezb-eh-Allah as a means of drawing
sympathizers and recruits from lower class opponents of the Shah. Hezb-eh-
Allah groups were poorly organized and engaged in limited operations such
as attacks on police to acquire weapons. These groups, which have gone by a
variety of names, have in the past year stated their allegiance to Khomeini
and have been involved in suclactiyjess attacking liberal demonstrators
protesting Khomeini's policies
The size and organization of groups such as the forces that have occupied the
Embassy are difficult to determine. Unlike the two guerrilla groups active
during the Shah's regime�the Mujahidin-eh-Khalq and the Cherikha-yeh-
Fedai-yeh-Khalq--that developed a cohesive ideology, tight organization,
and security procedures that isolated them from the social environment, the
more loosely organized groups of Islamic militants have tended to remain
embedded in the society, dr win su rt from their families and coming
together on an ad hoc basis
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Possible PFLP
Involvement
The leftists among the forces occupying the Embassy may have infiltrated
the Islamic organization as a means of advancing their goals under the
protective coloration of ostensible fidelity to Ayatollah Khomeini. Khomeini
has been strident in his attacks on the left, and the leftist guerrilla groups
that played a prominent nart in overthrowing the Shah have since been
driven underground.
We do not believe that the PFLP, whatever its involvement in the Embassy
seizure, is in collusion with Iranian Government officials. Ayatollah
Khomeini and his entourage have been deeply hostile toward the PFLP and
other radical Palestinian groups. Prime Minister Bazargan's government
was even more suspicious of radical Palestinian activity in Iran. We cannot
rule out the possibility, however, that the PFLP is involved with at least
some faction of the group occupying the Embassy. Fora number of years the
PFLP has had contacts with Iranian leftists.
The Palestine Liberation There is no evidence that Yasir Arafat's Fatah organization had any role in
Organization's Role planning or directing the occupation of the US Embassy. Principal PLO
leaders, however, moved quickly to gain what international and American
good will they could from the situation. They presumably believe they
gained a minor victory in the relaxation of Washington's ban on contacts
with them, but their primary goal appears to be the major improvement in
their image if they can play a mediating role in obtaining the release of the
hostages
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