In homeland, it was widely seen as a blow against the United States and its influence in homeland, including its perceived attempts to undermine the Revolution and its longstanding support of the recently overthrown Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had led an autocratic regime. Out of 66 Americans initially taken hostage, 13 were released after a few weeks (women and African Americans, whom the captors claimed to be “oppressed groups”). Another hostage was released later due to illness. The remaining 52 hostages endured 444 days of captivity.
