a direct physical threat to our national security, and we must join together to fight for
our Nation’s energy freedom.
We know the ways to win this war: more American energy and the more efficient
use of what we have. The United States Congress is now struggling with this extremely
important decision. The way to victory is long and difficult, but we have the will, and
we have the human and the natural resources of our great Nation.
However hard it might be to see into the future, one thing tonight is clear:
We stand together. We stand as a Nation unified, a people determined to protect the
life and the honor of every American. And we are determined to make America an
energy-secure Nation once again. It is unthinkable that we will allow ourselves to
be dominated by any form of overdependence at home or any brand of terrorism
abroad. We are determined that the freest Nation on Earth shall protect and enhance
its freedom.
I’ll be glad to answer questions.
Q:Mr. President, the Ayatollah Khomeini said the other day—and I’m using his
words—that he doesn’t believe you have the guts to use military force. He puts no
credibility in our military deterrent. I’m wondering, how do we get out of this mess
in Iran and still retain credibility with our allies and with our adversaries overseas?
The President:We have the full support of our allies, and in this particular instance
we have no adversaries overseas. There is no civilized country on Earth which has not
condemned the seizure and the holding of the hostages by Iran.
It would not be advisable for me to explore publicly all of the options open to
our country. As I said earlier, I’m determined to do the best I can through diplomatic
means and through peaceful means to ensure the safety of our hostages and their
release. Other actions which I might decide to take would come in the future after
those peaceful means have been exhausted.
But I believe that the growing condemnation of the world community on Iran
will have a beneficial effect.
Q:Mr. President, why did you reverse your policy and permit the Shah to come
into this country when, one, medical treatment was available elsewhere; two, you had
been warned by our Chargé that the Americans might be endangered in Teheran, and
three, the [Mehdi] Bazargan government was so shaky that it was questionable whether
he could deliver on the promise to protect our embassy? And last of all, in view of the
consequences, do you regret the decision?
The President:No. The decision that I made, personally and without pressure from
anyone, to carry out the principles of our country, to provide for the means of giving
the Shah necessary medical assistance to save his life, was proper. At the same time we
notified the Government of Iran. We were assured by the Prime Minister and the For-
eign Minister that our embassy would be protected, and it was protected for several
days, in spite of threats from outside.
Then peremptorily, after Khomeini made an aggravating speech to the crowds in
the streets and withdrew protection from the Embassy, it was attacked successfully.
The Embassy was protected by our people for the length of time possible without help
from the host government. No embassy on Earth is a fortress that can withstand con-
stant attacks by a mob, unless a host government comes to the rescue of the people
within the embassy.
IRAN 389