Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 016
Chapter Title: Coup Conditions. 7 - Like It or Not, It's America
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April 25, 1980.
Ayatollah Khomeini, making a rare appearance on TV screens after some time, was vehemently condemning the United States in a stern tone.
"This is clear evidence."
"The United States has illegally invaded our Iranian territory."
"They mobilized six of their latest helicopters,"
"and it appears at least two large transport planes were involved."
"If those transports and helicopters were loaded with troops, the U.S. must have infiltrated at least two companies' worth of soldiers into our Iranian territory without permission."
"This is a blatant act of aggression and hostility toward us."
"But it is evident that such shameless and aggressive actions by America have incurred the wrath of God, who protects and watches over us."
"These traces you see here are the proof."
All that remained on the ground were the scorched remnants where the helicopters and transport planes had burned.
"This is God's fury against the enemies' insolence,"
"and a miraculous sign demonstrating God's love for the new Islamic Republic."
"With this, the Iranian Islamic Republic and all Shia believers across the world will unite in heart and mind to discern God's will and resolute rise to reestablish His divine purpose on this land."
The screen showed piles of charred debris scattered across the ground, retaining the shapes of airplanes and helicopters.
Inside the Iranian palace.
He was watching the footage and Khomeini's speech on TV alongside Hassan.
"Looks like they've cleared away all the bodies."
"Revolutionary Guard troops arrived after our operatives left and collected the bodies of their own men."
"I see. Anything else?"
"It seems they've concluded it was an attack by U.S. forces."
He nodded.
Even if they were filling in for the military, the Revolutionary Guard were hardly proper soldiers—just militia at best.
For those half-civilians, it was only natural they couldn't accurately determine what weapons had been used just from the aftermath.
He turned his gaze back to the TV.
Khomeini's impassioned denunciation played on repeat,
intercut with footage of anti-American protests erupting across Tehran.
Hassan, watching the screen beside him, spoke up.
"This is going to make relations with the U.S. hard to repair for a while."
"Yeah. With their own citizens held hostage, and now reports surfacing that U.S. soldiers died during a rescue op, the mood there can't be good."
Anti-Iran sentiment, already inflamed by last week's U.S. embassy hostage crisis, was boiling over again with this incident.
And this time, the arrows of blame weren't aimed solely at the Iranian government.
They were also flying toward the Carter administration, which had failed to resolve the hostage situation for over half a year and botched the rescue attempt.
Though some time had passed since Iran's announcement and footage spread worldwide,
the Carter administration had yet to issue an official statement.
This had unleashed a flood of baseless rumors about the operation's failure, wild speculation on casualty numbers, and misguided predictions across the U.S.
Nearly every U.S. media outlet was pulling every string they had to gather intel on the op and the dead.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say the outcome of the upcoming presidential election hinged on how the results of this incident were announced.
And he held the card that would decide it all.
"Hassan."
"Yes, Your Highness. What are your orders?"
"Contact our broadcasting networks in the U.S. and let them know what happened here."
There was no need to reveal everything.
A few simple hints, and they'd uncover the truth themselves.
"Understood. I'll see to it immediately."
U.S. broadcast networks unleashed a barrage of special news reports.
"Carter Administration's Iran Embassy Hostage Rescue Op Confirmed Failed."
"Casualties confirmed so far: eight dead. One Air Force transport plane, one Navy transport helicopter worth $100 million completely destroyed. Five more helicopters of the same type..."
"Carter Administration Pushes Reckless Military Op Without Diplomatic Gains, Losing Precious Soldiers' Lives in Vain..."
The entire U.S. media frenzy didn't let up, pumping out stories nonstop.
Gradually, even the closely guarded details about the dead began to leak.
Finally, President Carter could endure no longer and took the podium himself.
"I stand before you with a heavy sense of responsibility. First, I offer my deepest apologies to the families of our brave soldiers who perished carrying out this operation in enemy territory and to their loved ones bearing this unimaginable grief. Our government executed a military operation on April 24—codenamed Operation Eagle Claw—to rescue our embassy staff held captive in Iran. But regrettably..."
The president's apology speech made everything official.
Public outrage against the administration poured in,
and the president's approval ratings plummeted.
The opposition, led by presidential candidate Reagan, amplified calls for regime change.
The 1980 election momentum, already tilting, now swung decisively toward Reagan and the Republicans—no room for doubt.
Iranian palace.
Reviewing the intel from the U.S. with Hassan, they talked it over.
Hassan said,
"The momentum has fully shifted to Reagan."
"No surprise. They couldn't rescue their citizens and just threw away soldiers' lives for nothing."
"However, public opinion against Iran has soured even more since the casualty list went public. If we pull off the coup later, I'm not sure we'll get U.S. support..."
"Don't worry about that. What we need isn't the support of the American people."
"Pardon? Not the people?"
"What we require is the backing of the U.S. administration—especially its head, the president. Not ordinary Americans."
"Ah."
They teach in democracies that the president represents the people's will, but reality often proved otherwise.
And even in the world's most advanced democracy, America, it was common to see the government and president acting against public sentiment.
"Returning the bodies of those eight fallen soldiers might not win over every American heart. But it should be more than enough to sway a brand-new president just taking office."
"Indeed."
"Right, since it came up—time to call the U.S."
"I'll prepare it right away."
Hassan returned shortly with a satellite phone in hand.
"Connect me to Mr. Rockefeller."
Arnold Rockefeller, chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation.
He'd grown close to the hidden powerhouse of U.S. oil through managing the asset firm Dark Angel.
After a few rings,
Hassan confirmed the connection and handed over the receiver.
Taking it, he greeted warmly.
"Hey, it's been a while."
"Heard the news. How's your health?"
"Eh, cooped up in the palace all day makes me antsy. But otherwise healthy."
"Good to hear. Take care of yourself."
"Thanks. Actually, calling with a favor."
"A favor? What could you possibly need from me? Ha, go on."
"Nothing major. You're tight with the Republicans, right? I'd like to speak with candidate Reagan."
Rockefeller was a major GOP donor.
Through him, lining up with the Republican nominee was feasible.
But regret tinged his voice.
"Reagan? Sigh. True, he's basically the next president. Would be good to connect. But you're late. Should've reached out sooner."
"What's the issue?"
"You know how it is. After Carter's announcement, the election's as good as over. Everyone's lining up now that he's practically president. I'll ask, but no guarantees on a meeting..."
"Just pass the word. I've got donation funds ready."
"Donations have already skyrocketed. Anything short won't make a dent—just money down the drain."
A tone urging no high hopes.
But he pressed on undeterred.
"It'll be enough. Tangible assets, though."
"What? Tangible? What do you mean donating assets for campaign funds...?"
"The bodies of eight U.S. soldiers who died on ops in Iran. Wouldn't that make a fine inauguration gift for the next president?"
Silence stretched over the line.
Then, moments later.
"Is this real?"
"You know where I am, don't you?"
More silence.
"Looks like it'll work."
"My donation insufficient?"
"Quite the opposite. Give me a date and time."
"Date and time?"
"Yeah. With that kind of 'donation,' even Reagan can't refuse to fit your schedule. He won't turn it down."
And so.
The first button was fastened: securing ties with America's next president, who would legitimize the post-coup regime.
Regardless of the election swinging sharply toward Reagan.
Those who couldn't sit idle amid the crisis grew desperate after this op's failure.
One such group: the CIA, overseeing U.S. foreign intelligence and covert ops.
Late evening.
A top expert on the Middle East—the best in America—was urgently summoned to CIA headquarters in Langley.
Late evening.
A bulletproof SUV pulled up to the rear side entrance.
The vehicle glided to a smooth stop.
The agent in the passenger seat hopped out and opened the rear door.
Click.
An elderly gentleman in his seventies emerged.
Glancing back at the CIA main building as he stepped out, the old man wore an expression of nostalgic reminiscence.
"It's been a long time since I've been back."
The agent urged the wistful onlooker.
"The Director's waiting, Mr. Kissinger."
The man stepping from the car was none other than former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger,
the architect of America's foreign strategy blueprint.
Kissinger nodded and moved forward.
"Right. Not here for a visit. Let's go in."