The correct answer is:
It seized fifty-two American hostages.
After the U.S. refused to hand over Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iranian militants occupied the U.S. embassy in Tehrān and held hostage over 50 Americans, requiring the extradition of the shah in return for the hostages’ liberation. Their demands were refused. However, the shah eventally left for Panama and Cairo, where he was granted asylum by President Anwar el-Sadat.
