Former American hostages held during the Iran hostage crisis have expressed mixed feelings regarding the recent death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. John Limbert and Barry Rosen, both aged 82, were among the 52 Americans taken captive at the US embassy in Tehran from 1979 to 1981. While they do not celebrate Khamenei’s assassination, they acknowledge the impact of his death on the Iranian regime.
The two men, who currently reside in New York, share a history marked by their traumatic experiences during their 444 days in captivity. Limbert, who was visited by Khamenei during the hostage crisis, remarked with a hint of irony, “He’s not my favorite character, I’m not terribly sorry to see him gone.” Rosen, a former press attaché at the embassy, stated, “I was certainly not unhappy concerning his death,” yet both remain cautious about the implications of Khamenei’s demise.
When discussing the potential for a military intervention in Iran, both Limbert and Rosen voiced strong disapproval of former President Donald Trump‘s aggressive stance. Rosen described the concept of bombing Iran as “absolutely insane,” arguing that such actions are unlikely to lead to the regime’s collapse and could, in fact, exacerbate the situation. “This regime will be able to sustain itself. The deep state is very deep, and it will constantly replace whoever is killed,” he asserted.
Limbert, who continued his diplomatic career until 2007, expressed a desire for a future Iran that respects human rights and democratic principles. “We want to see an Iran that treats its own people decently, that doesn’t massacre them in the streets,” he explained. However, he and Rosen both agree that any hopes pinned on military action, particularly under Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are “pretty damn remote.”
The backdrop of their reflections is a historical context that dates back to the events of November 4, 1979, when Iranian students stormed the US embassy. Limbert attempted to negotiate with the crowd but was taken hostage. The two men shared harrowing accounts of their time in captivity, where they were subjected to physical and psychological torture, including mock executions and solitary confinement.
Rosen described the bleak conditions, stating, “I found it almost impossible to sleep because of the possibility that I might be murdered.” Limbert recalled an encounter with Khamenei during his captivity: “I didn’t berate him, I didn’t curse him out… I took on my persona of the diplomat.”
The hostage crisis ended on January 20, 1981, coinciding with Ronald Reagan’s inauguration. The hostages were released in exchange for the United States unfreezing billions of dollars in Iranian assets. The ordeal left deep emotional scars, with Rosen admitting that the trauma from those 444 days continues to affect him. “My life is just upside down right now,” he shared.
Both Limbert and Rosen have grappled with their experiences since their release. Limbert humorously noted how his time as a hostage made him particularly vigilant about security throughout his diplomatic career, while Rosen’s memories of captivity often resurface, especially during significant anniversaries or related events.
Looking ahead, they voiced concerns about the current geopolitical climate and the potential for further conflict in the region. Limbert criticized the notion of supporting Kurdish separatists as a means to undermine the Iranian regime, calling it “stupid.” He emphasized the logistical challenges of such an approach and warned against creating a power vacuum that could lead to chaos, reminiscent of the aftermath of the Iraq War.
Both former hostages are disheartened by the current trajectory of US-Iran relations. Limbert expressed regret over the abandonment of the nuclear deal established during the Obama administration, which he felt was making progress. “Negotiation is slow, it can be frustrating… None of which [Trump] has,” he said.
As they reflect on their tumultuous past and the current state of affairs, Limbert and Rosen remain hopeful for a future where Iran can emerge as a nation that upholds the rights of its citizens. “If the regime falls, I would love to take my grandchildren to Iran,” Limbert said, though he remains apprehensive about the potential for violence in the absence of stable leadership.
Their stories serve as poignant reminders of the complexities surrounding US-Iran relations, underscoring the human impact of historical events that continue to shape international diplomacy today.
