April 25, 1980

President Carter announces the failure of the mission to rescue the hostages in Iran.

Late yesterday I canceled a carefully planned operation which was underway in Iran to position our rescue team for later withdrawal of American hostages, who've been held captive there since November fourth. The mission on which they were embarked was a humanitarian mission. It was not directed against Iran. It was not directed against the people of Iran. It was not undertaken with any feeling of hostility toward Iran or its people.