Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's statement about the fate of the American hostages held in Iran emphasized the political tensions following the 1979 Iranian Revolution. After Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage, the crisis escalated quickly, reflecting deep-seated animosity toward the United States, particularly due to American support for the deposed Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Khomeini's assertion that Iran's parliament would handle the hostages' situation was significant, indicating a shift toward formal governmental involvement in what had initially been a student-led protest. As public sentiment was increasingly turned against the United States, the hostages became symbolic of Iran's revolutionary ethos and the nation’s demand for sovereignty and respect on the world stage. The crisis was defined by its prolonged nature, with the hostages held for 444 days, which became a defining issue in U.S.-Iran relations and profoundly affected U.S. domestic politics as well.

The announcement came at a time when the U.S. government was exploring various diplomatic and military options to resolve the situation, including the possibility of a rescue mission. Public opinion in the United States was deeply affected by media coverage of the crisis, and the condition of the hostages, eventually culminating in a profound distrust of the Iranian regime. Khomeini's resolve not to yield to U.S. pressure solidified his power domestically, as he positioned himself as a strong leader in the confrontation, while international responses, including potential sanctions, created lasting ramifications in U.S.-Iran relations. The hostage crisis ultimately concluded in January 1981, coinciding with Ronald Reagan’s inauguration as U.S. President, thereby molding the foreign policy landscape for years to follow.