History

Operation Nimrod: Retaking the Iranian Embassy in London

The British Special Air Service rescued hostages taken by Iranian separatists who wanted their own country.
Operation Nimrod: Retaking the Iranian Embassy in London
(Left) The Iranian embassy in London, severely damaged by fire after the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980. (Steve White2008/CC BY-SA 2.0); (Right) The Iranian embassy restored in 2008. Snapperjack/CC BY-SA 2.0
Trevor Phipps
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During the spring of 1980, six gunmen took over the Iranian Embassy in London and held dozens of hostages. Police first tried to handle the situation peacefully. Negotiations soon reached a stalemate.

The elite British Special Air Service (SAS) knew that they would have to take matters into their own hands. The SAS rescued all but two hostages and either killed or arrested all six gunmen.

Trevor Phipps
Trevor Phipps
Author
For about 20 years, Trevor Phipps worked in the restaurant industry as a chef, bartender, and manager until he decided to make a career change. For the past several years, he has been a freelance journalist specializing in crime, sports, and history.