Americans Held Hostage In Iran 36 Years Ago Have Finally Won Compensation for Their Ordeal

An American hostage is paraded before a crowd outside the U.S. embassy compound in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 9, 1979.

New York Times: Americans Held Hostage in Iran Win Compensation 36 Years Later

WASHINGTON — After spending 444 days in captivity, and more than 30 years seeking restitution, the Americans taken hostage at the United States Embassy in Tehran in 1979 have finally won compensation.

Buried in the huge spending bill signed into law last Friday are provisions that would give each of the 53 hostages or their estates up to $4.4 million. Victims of other state-sponsored terrorist attacks such as the 1998 American Embassy bombings in East Africa would also be eligible for benefits under the law.

“I had to pull over to the side of the road, and I basically cried,” said Rodney V. Sickmann, who was a Marine sergeant working as a security guard at the embassy in Tehran when he was seized along with the other Americans by an angry mob that overran the compound on Nov. 4, 1979. “It has been 36 years, one month, 14 days, obviously, until President Obama signed the actual bill, until Iran was held accountable,” he said.

WNU editor: As a former diplomat I boil every-time I read this story. And while I am happy and overjoyed that these American hostages will finally receive some compensation .... 36 years after the fact .... I am unhappy that this money is not coming from the pockets of the Iranian government or the individuals who were responsible for this crime in the first place.

More News On The Americans That Were Held Hostage In Iran 36 Years Ago Winning Compensation for Their Ordeal

US Iran hostages compensated decades after ordeal -- AFP
Americans held in Iran during 444-day hostage crisis finally get compensation -- Washington Post
Iran hostage crisis: Victims 'to be compensated' 36 years later -- BBC
Iran hostages quietly granted compensation in year-end funding bill -- The Hill
Americans Held Hostage in Iran Finally Get Resolution -- VOA
US Iran Hostages Win Compensation 36 Years After Release By Tehran -- IBTimes