MAY 2023:

The Canadian Caper: A Daring Rescue Amidst the Iranian Revolution…

In the late 1970s, Iran was in turmoil. Mass protests against the autocratic rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi had erupted into a full-scale revolution, culminating in the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by Iranian militants on November 4, 1979. Fifty-two Americans were taken hostage and held captive for 444 days. This unprecedented crisis strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran. However, amidst the chaos and anti-American sentiment, a covert CIA mission, code-named the “Canadian Caper,” emerged as a beacon of hope and heroism.

The Canadian Caper was a joint operation between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Canadian government, designed to rescue six American diplomats who had managed to evade capture during the embassy takeover. The mission was a remarkable blend of espionage, deception, and sheer audacity, ultimately saving these six Americans’ lives.

**CONTEXT: THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION**

To understand the Canadian Caper, it’s essential to grasp the context of the Iranian Revolution. For decades, the United States had supported Iran’s autocratic ruler, the Shah, leading to widespread resentment among the Iranian population. The revolution was driven by a diverse coalition of Iranians, including students, clerics, and intellectuals, who sought to end the Shah’s rule and establish an Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Amidst the rising anti-American sentiment, the U.S. Embassy in Tehran became a focal point of anger and protest. On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the embassy, taking 52 Americans hostage. The world watched as the crisis unfolded, and the hostages’ fate remained uncertain.

**THE SIX AMERICANS IN HIDING**

Amidst the chaos of the embassy takeover, six American diplomats managed to escape and find refuge in the homes of Canadian diplomats,  Ken Taylor and John Sheardown. These six individuals were Robert Anders, Cora Lijek, Mark Lijek, Henry Lee Schatz, Joseph Stafford, and Kathleen Stafford. While their escape had been a stroke of luck, their situation remained perilous. They were essentially “houseguests” of the Canadian Embassy in Tehran, unable to leave without arousing suspicion.

**The Birth of the Canadian Caper**

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the CIA initiated a plan to rescue the six Americans. Tony Mendez, a seasoned CIA operative and expert in covert operations, was assigned to lead the mission. Mendez devised an audacious plan: he would create a fake film production company and pose as a Canadian filmmaker scouting locations for a sci-fi movie titled “Argo.” The six Americans would be given new Canadian identities and roles as film crew members, allowing them to escape Iran under the guise of a Canadian film production.

**Setting Up the Cover Story**

The success of the Canadian Caper hinged on the believability of the cover story. Mendez and his team worked diligently to create a credible backstory for the fake film production. They acquired a script, secured the rights to a real script titled “Lord of Light,” and even advertised the production in Variety magazine. A production office was established in Los Angeles to lend authenticity to the operation.

**Forging Canadian Identities**

The next crucial step was forging Canadian identities for the six American diplomats. The Canadian government played a pivotal role in this aspect of the operation. The Canadians provided genuine passports, driver’s licenses, and other identification documents, making it possible for the Americans to pass as Canadian citizens. They also meticulously coached the six individuals on their new identities, ensuring they could convincingly assume the roles of a film crew.

**The Arrival in Tehran**

In January 1980, Tony Mendez and his team arrived in Tehran to implement the rescue operation. They checked into a local hotel and began the process of meeting with the six Americans, who were still in hiding at the Canadian Embassy. Each of the diplomats received a Canadian passport with a matching persona from the film production. They were now officially part of the “Argo” crew.

**The Escape Plan**

On January 27, 1980, the escape plan was set into motion. The six Americans, along with Mendez, attended a prearranged meeting at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran. With fake film equipment in tow and acting as a film crew, they hoped to pass through airport security and board a Swissair flight to Zurich, Switzerland. This was a high-stakes gamble, as any suspicion or discovery could lead to their capture and execution by the Iranian authorities.

**Nail-Biting Moments**

The tension at the airport was palpable. The Americans had to navigate a series of checkpoints and interactions with Iranian officials, all while maintaining their cover as members of a film production. The ruse was tested as they faced scrutiny from airport security, but their forged Canadian documents held up. The defining moment came when they approached the departure gate, praying that the Swissair staff would accept their tickets and passports as legitimate.

**The Great Escape**

In a heart-stopping moment, the Swissair staff accepted their documents, and the six Americans boarded the plane. As the aircraft taxied down the runway and took off, the tension finally began to subside. They had successfully escaped Iranian soil, marking the culmination of the Canadian Caper.

**The Aftermath**

The successful rescue of the six Americans was a remarkable intelligence triumph, demonstrating the power of creativity, resourcefulness, and international cooperation. The Canadian Caper remained a closely guarded secret for years, with the full details of the operation classified. It wasn’t until 1997 that the CIA declassified the mission, allowing the world to learn about the audacious rescue.

**Legacy**

The Canadian Caper serves as a testament to the courage and ingenuity of those involved. Tony Mendez’s leadership and the unwavering support of the Canadian government saved the lives of six individuals during a period of intense geopolitical tension. The mission’s story was immortalized in the 2012 film Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck, which brought the daring operation to a global audience and honored the heroes behind the Canadian Caper.

The Canadian Caper remains a shining example of how a blend of espionage, quick thinking, and international cooperation can defy the odds and achieve the seemingly impossible. It stands as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity and danger.

**The Film Caper**

The real-life CIA mission known as the “Canadian Caper” serves as the basis for the 2012 film Argo. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio and adapted from the 1999 memoir The Master of Disguise by U.S. C.I.A. operative Tony Mendez and the 2007 Wired article “The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran” by Joshuah Bearman. While the film is undoubtedly engaging and well-executed, it takes artistic liberties that warrant historical accuracy and storytelling scrutiny.

The film, which also has Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman in supporting roles, was released in the United States on October 12, 2012. It was produced by Grant Heslov, Affleck, and George Clooney.

Firstly, the film’s portrayal of the events leading up to the Iranian Revolution in 1979 is somewhat simplified. The political context and the factors contributing to the hostage crisis are far more complex than depicted in Argo. The film focuses on the immediate aftermath of the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran but fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical background.

One of the major inaccuracies is the portrayal of Tony Mendez, played by Ben Affleck himself. While Affleck‘s performance is commendable, Mendez was not the action hero depicted in the film. He was undoubtedly a skilled CIA officer, but Argo exaggerates his role for cinematic effect. The real operation involved a team of professionals, and Mendez‘s contribution was just one part of the overall effort.

Additionally, the film overplays the tension and suspense during the extraction of the six American diplomats hiding in Tehran. While the actual operation was undoubtedly risky, Argo adds extra drama, including a heart-pounding chase at the airport, which never happened. Such embellishments may enhance the cinematic experience but do a disservice to the historical accuracy of the mission.

Argo also downplays the essential role played by the Canadian government and its ambassador, Ken Taylor. The film suggests that the Canadians were reluctant participants, while in reality, they were instrumental in sheltering the Americans and supporting the CIA‘s efforts. This misrepresentation diminishes the significant contribution of Canada to the operation.

Furthermore, the portrayal of Iranians in the film has been criticized for its one-dimensional depiction of the Iranian people, who are largely shown as hostile and menacing. This simplistic characterization perpetuates stereotypes and fails to acknowledge the diversity of views and experiences among Iranians during that time.

On a positive note, Argo excels in capturing the tense atmosphere of revolutionary Tehran and the urgency of the operation. The film’s production design and cinematography effectively recreate the period, immersing the audience in a chaotic and dangerous environment.

Argo is available now to rent on all streaming platforms…