They were guarding the Iranian hostages, and towards the end of the raid the hostages persuaded the men to surrender.

Sixteen Iranian hostages were rescued and 24 pirates captured, but the dhow was in a sinking condition and had to be abandoned.

Within the first 100 days, Khachigian wrote Reagan's inaugural address, his three main economic speeches, and the welcome home to the Iranian hostages.

The former Iranian hostages were housed at the hotel immediately upon their return to the US.

The Iranian hostages of 1979 were subject to a mock execution by their detainers.

The best example: that there were secret negotiations going on to free the Iranian hostages.

The President had seen the polls forecasting heavy defeat and had decided on a high-profile last-ditch effort to free the Iranian hostages.

The issue of Iranian hostages is also one that negotiators must solve before any deal is completed, Western diplomats said.

This time, we'll get Manucher Ghorbanifar to make a secret deal with the Americans to take some Iranian hostages.

"We expect that the West will take similar steps to the freedom of Lebanese prisoners and Iranian hostages," Mr. Vaeze added.