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" The brutal seizure of our embassy and personnel, done with the full compliance of the Iranian security forces, is an act of war. However, I'm willing to offer the Iranian leader Khomenei and Prime Minister Bazargan the benefit of the doubt, that these people used the chaos of the situation on the ground to act without their consent. Therefor, they have 24 hours to either release our people to safety, with no harm done to them whatsoever, or, if they declare themselves unable to do so, they shall immediately allow US forces unrestricted access to Tehran so as to rescue our men and women from their kidnappers. If we do not receive an affirmative reply to either of these conditions within 24 hours, I will call upon Congress to issue a declaration of war against Iran."

The above speech is given by Carter in a nationally televised address prior to Khomeini's radio speech, but after the large crowds had gathered at the embassy:

As Khomeini's followers had hoped, Khomeini supported the takeover. According to Foreign Minister Yazdi, when he went to Qomto tell Khomeini about it, Khomeini told him to “go and kick them out.” But later that evening, back in Tehran, Yazdi heard on the radio that Khomeini had issued a statement supporting the seizure, calling it “the second revolution” and the embassy an “American spy den in Tehran”.[50]

What would Khomeini do ?
What would the US Congress do if the reply is 'No' ?
What would the US public think of the whole deal, and how would this shape the presidential election?
If hostilities break out, how do they go?
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