Iran Update: November 18, 1979

This document is a November 18, 1979 Department of State memorandum to the Secretary from Harold H. Saunders providing an update on the Iran hostage situation.

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8 DEPARTMENT OF STATE Washington, D.C. 20520 November 18, 1979 SECRET/NODIS TO: The Secretary FROM: IWG - H. Harold Saunders its Iran Update, November 18 Today's Objectives: -- Make definite arrangements for the transfer of the women and black hostages from Tehran via Zurich to Frankfurt. -- Plan for the onward transportation for this group of hostages to the U.S. -- Seek through our UN or PLO contacts to encourage exchanges with the Iranians which could lead to the release of the remaining hostages. Status of Current Issues: -- We have sent another cable to all diplomatic posts urging intensified efforts to obtain the release of the hostages. -- We are asking Chiefs of State of selected African countries to express their concerns about the Iranian situation. We feel that strong support for our position from the Third World is likely to be most effective with Iranian authorities. -- A consignment of pouches that was caught in a truck en route to the Embassy at the time of the attack has been in the garage of an Embassy truck driver. We had asked the British to have the truck driver destroy the material. He declines to do so and the British DECLASSIFIED SECRET/NODIS Per, Rac Project ESDN; NLC- 6-32-3-6-0 BY NARA, DATE 7/21/15