Nov. 4, 1979: Iran Hostage Crisis

Protesters seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 98 hostages, setting off a 444-day ordeal as part of the Islamic Revolution.

Latest Stories

  • FBI discusses possibility of explosive devices at expected protests linked to inauguration

    The danger to the public and to law enforcement officers from explosive devices during expected upcoming protests "is substantial," the FBI warned in a new awareness bulletin obtained by ABC News. The document includes photos of devices used in the last eight months against civilian and law enforcement targets during public protests. The FBI now wants to make first responders aware of what has been deployed in the past and what they might encounter during demonstrations linked to the inauguration.

  • DC police officers speak out after US Capitol siege: 'I thought ... I might die'

    When a violent mob of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, it was law enforcement officers who put their lives at risk to protect Congress and secure the area. Robert Contee, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, let three of his officers who were on the front lines speak to D.C. ABC affiliate WJLA about their experiences. "They have a heroic story and I think the world really needs to know," Contee told WJLA.

  • Blizzard warning issued for Midwest as storm moves into Northeast

    A strong storm system is producing lots of wind and snow in the Central U.S., with a blizzard warning issued for five states, from Minnesota to Missouri. Already Friday morning up to half a foot of snow has fallen in Iowa and winds have been gusting at 60 to 80 mph from the Dakotas to Oklahoma. As the storm is expected to move into the Northeast, snow alerts have been extended into upstate New York and New England.

  • With partial blame for the Capitol attack, majority favors barring Trump from office

    Nine in 10 Americans oppose the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, seven in 10 say Donald Trump bears at least some responsibility for it and a majority in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll – 56% – favors efforts in Congress to bar him from holding elected office again. Fifty-four percent in the national survey also say Trump should be charged criminally with inciting a riot for having encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol.

  • Companies target GOP with fundraising pullback. How much will it matter?

    The pullback of political giving by some of the country's most prominent companies -- a move triggered by the siege on the United States Capitol by a mob of President Donald Trump's supporters -- unevenly affects Republicans, but is unlikely to hamper the party's overall fundraising ahead of the 2022 cycle. In the days after the insurrection on Capitol Hill, more than two dozen companies announced they are either reevaluating their political giving strategies or withholding financial support for lawmakers -- for now -- including some businesses that are specifically halting donations to those Republicans in Congress who objected to the outcome of the 2020 presidential election last week. It's a dramatic defiance within corporate America, which historically lines the parties' pockets with hundreds of millions of dollars in an election cycle, and could especially hurt Republicans who rely relatively more heavily on contributions from corporate political action committees, or PACs.

  • 6 questions about Trump's 2nd impeachment trial answered, much still unknown

    For the second time in 13 months and for the fourth time in American history, the Senate will again embark on yet another impeachment trial, the second for President Donald Trump. Now that the House has approved an article of impeachment accusing Trump of inciting violence against the U.S. government, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi essentially determines when the trial starts. Proceedings are triggered when Pelosi authorizes the House impeachment managers, who she formally appointed Wednesday, to formally deliver the article to the Senate chamber.

  • 15 of the best winter boots for every occasion: Combat, western and more

    Whether you are looking for a warm option to complement a casual outfit or a trendy pair for extra flair, there are great options for every occasion. From western-style to weatherproof, scroll ahead to see and shop some of the best boots on the market right now. Fashion influencer Monroe Steele below styled her pair with a powder blue dress.

  • Sending carrier back to Middle East will keep tensions low after Soleimani death anniversary, admiral says

    With tensions running high between Iran and the United States in recent weeks, the Navy's top admiral believes the U.S. has the right naval assets in the Middle East to deter Iranian aggression. Adm. Mike Gilday, the chief of naval operations, told reporters during a trip to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain, that the recent return of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the waters of the Middle East was intended "to maintain stability, at a time when things could potentially become unstable."

  • NY passenger bus hangs off overpass in the Bronx after crash, at least 8 left injured

    Various people were injured after a passenger bus veered off the road and was left hanging off an overpass in New York's Bronx. The New York Police Department told WABC that the incident happened at 11:10 p.m. Thursday on the Cross Bronx Expressway at University Avenue. The New York City Fire Department tweeted Friday night that there were nine total injuries, but in a statement they later said only eight people were treated for injuries.

  • Lawmakers introduce bill to honor officer who led Capitol rioters away from Senate

    Three members of Congress introduced a bill Thursday to honor U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal "for his bravery and quick thinking," when President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol last week. Goodman has been identified as the officer seen leading rioters away from the Senate chamber in a viral video taken by Huffington Post reporter Igor Bobic. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., Charlie Crist, D-Fla. and Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced the bill Thursday.

  • Man seen holding Confederate flag among latest Capitol siege arrests, authorities say

    More than a week after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, federal authorities continue to charge people who allegedly participated in the riot, often relying on video taken at the scene to identify suspects. Additionally, the FBI has opened approximately 200 subject case files and received roughly 140,000 digital media tips from the public. A man whom authorities identified as carrying a Confederate flag while walking through the Capitol halls during the Jan. 6 siege was arrested Thursday morning in Delaware, a law enforcement official confirmed to ABC News.

  • 'Saved by the Bell' alum Dustin Diamond hospitalized with cancer

    "Saved by the Bell" alum Dustin Diamond was hospitalized in Florida over the weekend, a member of the actor's team confirmed to ABC News. "At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer," reps wrote on the actor's Facebook page. "Dustin will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made."

  • Flint water crisis: Many residents say they still don't trust tap water nearly 7 years later; former governor pleads not guilty

    Demands for accountability in the Flint water crisis may soon be answered nearly seven years after people first began reporting the devastating side effects of the city's lead-poisoned water. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday that former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and eight other state officials would be charged in connection to the drinking water crisis, during which at least 12 people died and 79 people became ill from Legionnaires' disease which was connected to the contaminated water. Snyder is charged with two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty, each carries a penalty of one year in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, according to court documents.

  • Biden announces vaccination plan, economic rescue package in evening address

    President-elect Joe Biden announced his vaccination and economic rescue legislative package, an ambitious $1.9 trillion proposal focused on stimulus amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the country for nearly a year. "My fellow Americans, the decisions we make in the next few weeks and months are going to determine whether we thrive in a way that benefits all Americans, or that we stay stuck in a place where those at the top do great while economic growth for most everyone else is just a spectator sport, and where American prospects dim, not brighten," Biden said in his remarks Thursday night announcing the policy. In a call with reporters ahead of the president-elect's remarks, senior Biden transition officials previewed the details of what will be one of his first major legislative pushes upon taking office to try to get a handle on the health crisis -- an effort that would one of the largest and most expensive economic stimulus packages in U.S. history if passed.

  • With Trump impeached, Democrats turn focus toward GOP 'accomplices' in Capitol siege

    A week after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, investigators are trying to determine whether one of the biggest threats to lawmakers that day emanated from within Congress itself. As Americans grapple with the fallout from the deadly insurrection, Democrats have leveled increasingly serious accusations against their colleagues across the aisle, framing some Republican members as "accomplices" and "co-conspirators" in the assault. Allegations range from inciting rioters with inflammatory rhetoric to actively assisting the throngs of Trump supporters who laid siege to the Capitol complex.

  • Nation's capital being turned into 'fortress Washington' ahead of inauguration

    With just days until the inauguration next Wednesday, and in the wake of last Wednesday's assault on the Capitol, security around the nation's capital city has been ramped up to a level not seen in years. The 7-foot non-scalable fencing around the Capitol has been topped with razor wire, and behind it, hundreds of armed National Guardsmen. On Thursday evening, Vice President Mike Pence made a surprise visit to the Guardsmen now protecting the building, thanking them for "stepping forward for your country."

  • Real-life 'League of Their Own' player raises money for 94th birthday to build women's baseball center

    "When the movie came out, my dreams started to come true," said Blair, who was featured at the end of "A League of Their Own" when retired players return for a reunion. Blair set a goal for her 94th birthday to raise $9,400 for the International Women's Baseball Center, a proposed museum and educational center for girls and women in baseball in Rockford, Illinois, home of the Rockford Peaches made famous in "A League of Their Own."

  • Ahead of inauguration, government contracts reveal White House deep clean

    After three COVID-19 breakouts within the White House in recent months, the federal government is sparing no expense to clean and disinfect the building before President-elect Biden moves in Jan. 20. According to government contracts reviewed by ABC News, more than $200,000 has been spent for increased White House janitorial and housekeeping work, including $127,249 on "2021 Inaugural Cleaning" and another $44,038 on "Inaugural carpet cleaning." While the White House is always deep-cleaned during the transition between presidents, that work is usually handled by White House staff, including butlers, ushers and maintenance crews.

  • New York AG sues NYPD over handling of Black Lives Matter protests

    New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday escalated her criticism of the New York Police Department in a lawsuit against the NYPD over its handling of Black Lives Matter protests this past spring. The lawsuit also names Mayor Bill de Blasio, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea and Chief of Department Terry Monahan. The lawsuit accuses the department and the individuals of failing to address what it calls a long-standing pattern of abuse evident in the tactics used to quash the demonstrations that raged over the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.

  • Trump isolated during final days as Senate trial looms

    With just six days left in office and facing a Senate trial, President Donald Trump spent Thursday as the most isolated he has been during his presidency. Key allies on Capitol Hill have bucked him, advisers are avoiding him, and his lawyers have largely refused to defend him as he faces an historic second impeachment trial as soon as next week. Trump has limited time left to exercise his pardon powers.