President Nixon was US president during the Iranian Hostage Crisis of the 1970s.

Jimmy Carter was president during the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-1981. The crisis began as a reaction to the United States granting the deposed and exiled Shah of Iran asylum as he underwent treatment for cancer in the U.S. A group calling themselves the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line held 52 Americans for 444 days. The hostages were released minutes after president Ronald Reagan was sworn into office. Many criticized President Carter for his poor handling of the crisis.