The Iranian Embassy Siege 1980 | Reaction! 

SAS are the guys Delta force want to be.

I was 9 years old at the time, watching the live balcony scene with John McAleese on the BBC news, made me determined to join the British Army, in which I served 16 years in the Parachute Regiment.

Most of the UK was watching this live on TV. I remember it as if it was yesterday.

See it live when I was a kid in Ireland it was nuts. Iran had no choice English said tuff titty it’s our country your just guest in uk lol🇮🇪👍

As for Iran, I don't think the sas cared if Iran gave permission or not.

Interestingly I was just watching a review of the film '6 Days' by Robin Horsfall who was one of the SAS operatives on the day, and he actually wasn't very happy with the film and said there were a few too many inaccuracies for his liking, he said the best documentary he's watched was the BBC documentary 'SAS: Iranian Embassy Siege' 2002, he said that's extremely accurate.

You have to remember, things were a lot different back in 1980. Most folks in the UK wouldn't be aware of the SAS till after this operation, and hostage situations were handled a lot differently back then too. Now, everyone knows about Navy Seals, SAS, SBS, and other specialist forces. I know enough to not mess with any of them, and show them the utmost respect!

For you question, armed police are generally for when a suspect may be armed, example, organised crime & gang affiliates are arrested by armed response. But the SAS is used as hostage rescue, regardless of who's territory it is. The SAS have operated on British and foreign soil the same. They are on constant 24 standby for any hostage rescue missions they may be needed in.

Comparing SWAT with SAS is like comparing a rusty Ford with a Ferrari. SAS is on their on level.

One detail that was missed is that a former SAS Sergeant serving as a dog handler with the Met police phoned the SAS Sergeant's Mess back in Hereford and told them they probably would be needed. The SAS teams were loaded out and on their way to London before the government even got around to organising a meeting about it. It also helped the operation, as they managed to get on site covertly before the press turned up. Dan, there is a movie called '6 Days' but it kinda sucks. The 2002 BBC dramatised documentary 'SAS: Iranian Embassy Siege' is great though if you can find it

The uk prime minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher had balls of steel. She was quite a divisive figure locally for some of her policies (poll tax) but widely respected for her handling of (not backing down) the Falklands War and this the Iranian embassy siege.

The frame charges for the windows were well "overcharged" because they knew the windows of an embassy would be reinforced, but no idea how strong. So they thought "fuck it, big boom!" And if you watch the actual footage, you'll see what I mean when they blow the windows 😅 KaBOOM💥

Margaret Thatcher didn't mess about

The news came on, live pictures and there the nation was watching the SAS going into the Iranian embassy... nothing like this had been seen 'on camera ' in my memory. There's loads of the live pictures and documentaries on RU-vid... Worth a watch. Cheers

Remember watching this live on the TV. Highly skilled Troopers. Who Dares Wins

this interupted the Snooker World Cup Final, the tv switched to breaking news. Forget the movie there is live footage.

they are the best in the world

The prime minister was advised to let the mission go ahead without the tv crews filming. She said no let them film it it to send a message around the world

Watch the real time footage man. It's on RU-vid

Sad fact One of the lad's (Bob Curry) that stormed the embassy was recently homeless in 2018 after his business failed (M.O.D who he worked for, pulled his contracts), While the remaining Terrorist that survived got Asylum and a house in peckham and still lives there as far as i know. Thankfully Bob got back on his feet with no help from the Government. Poor guy even had to sell all his medals.

I was there, part of the containment team, situated at the back of the embassy responsible for illuminating the back of the embassy at night with Metrolux lighting systems.

Hi Daniel. I was watching this on the TV and ot triggered a discussion with my wife as we both watched this live. Yes, we old. There is a 2017 film calld 6 days which is on Netflix. Also there is a real good documentary about this whith interviews with the SAS and other people involved. Regards the Iranians, while I have my opinions on Margeret thatcher, not all good, she wouldn't have given a dam about what they thought and that response by the SAS gave a strong signal to terrorists, if they they shit here they will die. It helped keep. the UK safe.

You made one mistake.. The Iranian embassy is not owned by Iran. It is not Iranian soil. Same as the American embassy in London, which is not American soil... it is English. However, America does own an acre of land in London, which was donated by the Queen as a memorial to JFK. You can watch a video on that very subject on RU-vid. This acre of land was given with two caveats. 1. We don't need passports to enter this land 2. Anyone can go there to pay respect to the fallen leader 😊

As I remember, not only did Iran not lift a finger to help in any way, they also wanted the British government to pay for damage to the Embassy, btw Dan, if you've ever played "Call of Duty, Modern Warfare", John McAleese, the guy with the window frame-charge is the inspiration for Captain Price.

Much better version of this on the "Elite Military Forces " channel, includes real footage and accounts from the people involved not silly little cartoons and a abbreviated narration.

I remember watching this live as it happened (I was 16 and a military enthusiast). The Iranian government effectively stated the UK and US organised the attack, in response to an ongoing crisis in Iran where US citizens were being held hostage, and took no part in rescue.

Margaret Thatcher said that the Iranian embassy siege would be dealt with under British law, despite the embassy being technically Iranian soil.

The TV documentary is a much better watch with real footage of the operation. It was actually on TV while it happened.

During another incident some guys trued to rob a London restaurant, the Spaghetti House. The Metropolitan Police nsgotiated for several days and they made ridiculous demands. Sir Robert Mark, the then Commissioner Of Police didn't bugger about. He made it quite clear that there would be no plane or helicopter as demanded by the rkbbers. "You are going to one of two places", he told them. "A cell or a morgue" . They soon gave up.

As for what Iran thought about the operation, and how British realtions dealt with that. Basically, "Tough titties. There was British hostages." Dont quote me on this, but I belive the rule is something along the lines of, if a hostage is under the care of Britain, then the SAS will be called on standby, doesn't matter where in the world. It sits somewhere outside of "military action" as its counter terror, hostage rescue. Not a hostile attack on the forign nation, only acting as a rescue team. Or something like that, obviously terms and conditions apply, but they have done operations that had to be kept quite politically for a while at least. And all that jazz. They also have done operations including planes and boats so the foeign land line gets even more blurry. 😅

CONGRATULATIONS........ YOu have met the SAS...

You should check out Obi One Nairobi, about a terror attack at the Dusit2 hotel and mall in Nairobi where an SAS guy rescued more than 20 civilians during the attack, it's also worth checking out Operation Barras and the Basra Prison Incident where 2 SAS soldiers were captured and the SAS went on an unauthorised mission to retrieve them. There is something you need to understand it wouldn't have mattered what Iran said or wanted, Margaret Thatcher would go ahead with or without their blessing, if they're on British soil as far as she was concerned it was for us Brits to decide what to do and how the execute. She was one of those leaders who had more balls than any politician now. I worked for a former Brigadier that had served with the SAS and he said that after the siege was over one of the guys in the room next to Margaret Thatcher said something along the lines of "that f***ing showed them, to which she replied "yes it did".

Goodness constable lock was lucky to be able to press the panic button

I was 13 years old when this happened. I remember reluctantly watching boring news coverage and then all of a sudden men in black were abseiling, climbing across balconies and blowing holes in windows. Then in no time it was all over. It was better than any action film I'd seen, probably because it was a real event happening in real time with real jeopardy. There was a film called "Who Dares Wins" which is the motto of the SAS. It was a bit crap though and only loosely based on the siege with loads of fiction thrown in. As mentioned before, "6 Days" on Netflix is much better .

There was a John Wayne film on the telly at the time ..just switched over to live....I was a kid ,and gutted..my eyes were wide open after 2 mins watching these guys though..Still remember.

Why not real footage Uk

I remember watching this live, it was the first time I'd heard of the SAS

Just to add to the aura around the SAS and this incident: I believe (I accept I might be wrong on some of the details) that, later on the day of the ending of the stand-off, the SAS troops had retired to a facility for debriefing and a beer and the PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM arrived and had a beer with the boys. Maggie was no fool and knew that any photo of her with a beer in her hand, surrounded by grinning secret squirrel operatives would put an extra coat of shine on her image. I have once knowingly met a member of the SAS. Nice guy. Quiet, soft spoken. Came with a calmness that told me he could deal with just about anything that popped up unexpectedly with his bare hands. Someone you wanted to have on your side rather than the other side. In "A Few Good Men", Jack Nicholson delivers a speech in which he says that there are men who stand on the wall protecting the people inside the wall, even though the people do not like the fact. I say: "God bless the men on the wall."

Hi Daniel. There is indeed a film about this called Six Days. It’s very well made with a good cast. Mark Strong plays Max. I’m was very fortunate to meet Max on a few occasions as a young lad. His brother Bryan and sister-in-law Gladys were neighbours and very close friends of my parents. In fact, Gladys was my mother’s best friend. They were all wonderful people who are sadly no longer with us. I don’t think Max ever really received the credit he deserved for the huge part he played in this operation but he was such a humble man, I don’t think he’d have ever made a fuss. Without his input and the extra time he gained for the SAS I’d imagine it could have been a very different story.

There is an hour long documentary (operation nimrod documentary) that is a pretty good watch if you want to see some real footage and get a little more backstory.

The Netflix movie '6 Days' is about the Iranian embassy siege, and is a pretty accurate representation of the actual events.

Look up Christian Craighead one man SAS on African embassy saves everyone and America woman.. worth watching

Operation Nimrod was broadcast live on air on all three TV channels. It was the most exciting thing I'd ever seen. After seeing it play out live, I so wanted to be some kind of ninja/ sniper warrior. Was never going to happen but I have been fascinated by military operations ever since.😅

The UK does not have any laws against using troops on British land. We have the polite fiction that an embassy is foreign territory.

Dan, Yep, I watched this live on TV, I was on Nights and my wife woke me up by saying, "there's men on the roof, something's happening!" I had no idea what she was talking about, I thought she meant our roof, then she said quick, it's on the telly! As I started watching, with them still on the roof, I thought, I'm going to have to go into work late, 20 minutes later it was all over! Look for the live coverage! Sorry, just had to.outside, the Red Arrows were doing a Couple of circuits overhead!

They were on british soil, and you have the right to protect your own country. The Iranians were armed with military weapons, so the police will try to negotiate, but this became a military operation when they killed someone. The S.A.S will only be called at final resort.

Jebus - you reacted to the kiddies animated version? This was on telly at the time, FFS! Poor.

SAS and Delta Operators were on the ground during the Waco siege, but did not take part.

The UK has no equivalent of the American posse comitatus which prevents military forces from operating within the continental US as such the British government has always had the option to deploy troops whenever necessary to support law enforcement or to assist in civil emergencies.

The S.A.S. has different Squadrons that do different jobs such as one squadron for Intel etc with one Squadron that deals exclusively with Counter Terrorism issues every serving trooper will be trained to do all jobs but they all specialise on things like snipers, close order battle drill etc..

there are plenty of videos on youtube with actual TV news footage as the SAS assault went in - the same footage that was broadcast live as we all watched

It was live broadcast on the day

The SAS and SBS are the best soldiers in the world. Their training is so hard that not many people make it. They train other forces round the world including the USA. They are not like SWAT.

Despite being active since WW2, this was the 1st time we really saw them in action...these terrorists did not expect the SAS.....oh and yes, they can and do operate on UK soil...they saw lots of covert action in Northern Ireland

You should react to operation baras (certain death).

I was 26 when this happened. There are far better documentaries out there. There are a couple with interviews with the former SAS involved. These are guys you want on your side, not hunting you down.

In Britain, the foreign embassy building, is a owned by the country who occupies the building, but the land on which it stands is still owned by the British Government, so we retain the right to enter onto that land and therefore presumably able to deal with any acts of terrorism committed on that land.

That is not how it happened. The sas doesn't work like that. I watched it live. You dont just apply to join. Not without a shit load of experience

I remember watching this on the tv, just before going down the pub

It was during the snooker final, all of a sudden the snooker went off the air and a reporter was near the embassy who wasn't sure of what was going on. Most people that I knew, all said the same thing where the F is the snooker. After a while all hell broke loose in and around the embassy and the rest is history. For a short time the British were hero's in Iran. They forgot very quickly what the SAS did for them.

This video is a crap account of the Iranian embassy siege; there are far better accounts of this on RU-vid.

Obi Wan Nairobi is someone you need to look up, by the same channel I think or a channel who does animation. Or any video on him really.

Back in the day when we still had balls. Sadly today they would probably apologise and offer them whatever they want.

In 1980 the UK did not have a "swat unit", we do now. However, the SAS had an anti-terrorist role.

0:54 I was at work (here in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿) doing IT support and repairs and I spoke to a man, I…by chance said something about the SAS (I love the SAS…absolute legends) and the man had a grin on his face. Turns out he was one of the Operators who made entry in Operation Nimrod. We had a brilliant chat…he actually came back to bring me a signed copy of his book and photos that were taken of him by metropolitan police snipers from the rooftops across the street…they’re photos I haven’t seen anywhere before, taken through the sights of the rifle. I feel so lucky to have met him and shaken that total legends’ hand. I made a point of telling him that not everyone has the pathetic attitude where anyone in the forces are criticised and b*tched about. I let him know that no! There are many people who still have pride in our Nation and pride in the people who keep us safe as he has done. Never thought I’d be able to give one of these guys a call. 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I was twenty six when this happened, none of us had ever heard of the SAS apart from when they were formed in the Egyptian desert in 1941 by David Sterling. But after this whirlwind action by the lads from Hereford, we got to learn a lot more about them in subsequent years. The American Delta force and the Hostage rescue team were created as in the mould of the 22 SAS.

Hi dude. Love watching the first (single):reaction from you. But: An embassy is not a peace of soil that "belongs" to the country whom has an diplomatc station there. If the Ambassador is not able to enforce his job, the it's just UK soil again. The soil is lended to a country. Armed forces (military) is not allowed to operate in there own country (in a democratic society) unless it's given the go from the government. Heck, that's even the case in USA. And as an after thought: SAS is the GOAT when it comes to SOF

It was global news. The storming of the embassy was televised live at Mrs Thatcher's insistence. The Army didn't want the SAS to be revealed. Mrs T wanted a clear message sent that the UK weren't going to give in to terrorists. The SAS were huge national heros and everyone loved them for this mission. There are several films and documentaries made. If you are interested to watch a full length film check imbd.

The moment the SAS are standby, they setup a mock-up of the building they will be assaulting, and run multiple drills the whole time. This isn't unique to the SAS, but felt it's worth noting since it gives them a huge advantage when lights are cut and flash bangs are going off, multiple teams conducting the raid in sync, chaos of controlling the building systematically... Etcetc

I noticed some saying that the film "6 days" was an accurate account. Not so according to one of the team members there, Robin Horsfall. He said it was a terrible representation and about the only thing they got right was the location! You can see his own reaction to the film on youtube.

I’m sure someone must have mentioned it but this was the first time the SAS was actually seen on news reports if I remember correctly. Find the live version of this. It’s on RU-vid too.

No hate, loved the reaction buy there was definitely a few different videoyyou could have watched about this incident including one where you get to see and hear from the men who were there and who carried out this mission as well as PC Trevor Locke and other hostages that were there. In any case there are quite a few SAS docs out there to sink your teeth into. Two of my favourites is the Battle of Mirbat in Oman 1972 when 9 SAS soldiers were assaulted by over 400 guerilla fighters and when the German special forces requested the assistance of the SAS to rescue hostages from a passenger airliner full of German tourists held by 4 Palestinian terrorists in Somalia in 1977.

Congratulations on hitting the 1K mark. I do remember this somewhat, and I believe that Iran was in turmoil itself (as usual). The Shah was kicked out of power and the Ayatollah Khamenei was trying to take control of Iran which he succeeded in doing in 1981.

Research Top Malo House, Falklands 1982.

Movie is called 6 Days and there was another movie called Who Dares Wins

Funny how animators and video game creators almost always draw the Skorpion machine pistol with the shoulder stock folded up, the first thing anyone trained to use one would do is pull the shoulder stock back before using it, I remember watching an SAS soldier reacting to how realistic a video game was and he said well for starters no one with any gun knowledge would ever hold a Skorpion without pulling the shoulder stock back first. I was 10 when this happened, it was massive news and we all watched it unfold live on the News, there's a film about it called '6 Days' and I think there's a few decent documentaries about it, the film 'Who Dares Wins' is also a fun film which includes a completely fictional account of a similar action in the centre of London, it's a very entertaining film. There's also an excellent 3 part documentary about the formation of the SAS in North Africa in WW2 called 'SAS Rogue Warriors', not to be confused with a mini-series of a dramatized account of the same story called 'SAS Rogue Heroes', I think you'd really enjoy the documentary as it interviews quite a few of the original SAS members who were still alive when they filmed it, but the dramatization is a fun watch too as it's a pretty wild story!

You nailed it in the first minute - "They had no exit plan."

this was in England...so the embassy would be technically Iranian territory.

For some reason Daniel I didn't know about this channel lol. Currently doing a binge watch. Hope you're well m8👍🇬🇧🇺🇸

There is a documentary about this on RU-vid . Icludes people involved with this . Much more detailed including the S.A.S attacking the building .

If you want to see a great movie on SAS Iranian Embassy Seige then watch the 1982 movie WHO DARES WINS.

How come you talk more easily an more fluent than when your with embrace the suck 21?

You should react to the BBC document, with many of the people involved, Trevor Locke, many of the SAS guys and hostages all give their testimonials, definitely worth watching on top of this.

I remember watching this so clearly. I was 12 years old. The whole siege was gripping and the rescue by the SAS was riveting.

Or Find out about USS Robin AKA HMS Victorious in Disguise😊, I think you Would like anything on Sabaton History to, because they Rock😁

Thanks for doing this Daniel. U might want to look into the Nairobi hotel siege in 2019. A very impromptu Sas attack on terrorists who had taken 700 hotel guests hostage.

What does it take to earn the British medal The Victoria Cross. Document Jeremy Clarkson. WW2 Attack on Saint Nazaire.

Dunno if I should mention this, but here we go. Lare 80's I was a naughty boy (drugs) got busted and sent to gaol (yes Danny that is the correct spelling). 1989, height of the Acid House music scene and they caught me with a shit load of Acid (LSD). First big...ish one they caught since Acid House was made public enemy no.1 by the press, the judge threw the book at me. 12 years (reduced on appeal to 8, everyone realised the judge went a bit mental for a guilty plea and a first offence, one of her daughters was a dropout druggie so any drugs offences that came infront of her she hammered. Valerie Perlman aka Judge Pearly, she was infamous for hammering drugs and letting rapists go). So when you're doing a big one you start your sentence in maximum security, then over time, as long as you don't kick up all the time, they send you to more relaxed prisons (Category C and D, rather than A and B). So, whilst I was in Maximum at Albany on the Isle of Wight I met the surviving terrorist they took prisoner. He was doing life, but he was still in max and it was obvious that's where he was going to do his entire. I remember he was a tallish guy. Still quite young. And cut. Gym every day instead of yard exercise (that's an option in British prisons) the rest pf the yime it's either bang up or work. Evening you'd get 2 hours association, where you were allowed to watch TV, play pool, socialise etc. Anyway, he wasn't massive bulky like the powerlifters (lots of massive guys in gaol...I mean riduculous. Some of them couldn't walk properly because they'd overdeveloped legs a their thighs would rub together and chafe). He trained like I did. Not for pure bulk, for proportionate but cut. He trained like a soldier getting ready for action. Stamina and strength rather than raw power. Spoke to him a couple of times, not knowing who he was. Seemed ok, comparative to what most cons are like. Then I found out. "Woah, that's him?!!!" That said, I met a few Alternative, anti hero type celebrities. Couple of the Great Train Robbers (Tommy Wisbey, Jimmy Hussey). Noel Smith a prolific bank robber and gangster, but also an extremely talented writer and poet, who in recent years (and after his release) has become well known for that and has had a few books published now. The Hassan brothers. Notorios kidnappers and murderers, who when the police were closing in, simply fed their latest victim to pigs (the police found a wedding ring in amongst the pig shit). And most legendary of all. Charles Bronson. Banged up in isolation on the floor above me (D wing, Wandsworth, maximun security, long term and escapees). They couldn't let him near other cons because he'd randomly attack for no reason. Silent all day in his cell. Come lights out 10pm. He'd start, punching, kicking slamming into the door and walls of hos cell whilst screaming obscenities.....all night. Come dawn, he'd go quiet again. Have you seen the Tom Hardy movie about him? Bronson. Well worth you and Spence doing a reaction. Footnote. I did a degree in electronic engineering in prison. I also learned to play guitar and piano. And I've read virtually every major work there is, as well as a load of pulp and lots of information type books. My prison release was 30 years ago (aniversary last month actually) never been back.

Iran had been a beautiful cosmopolitan country ....Then came the Islamic Revolution , the country imploded ... Iran was seen as a basket case at the time as was most every country in the world compared to the UK at that time .. Defeat was not an option .. The SAS became instant superheroes .. Then came the SBS .....crazy bonkers super heroes ..

If you want to see a good representation, the people that were there including John Mac, Robin Horsfall, Trevor Lock etc, look up "Elite military forces" " SAS Iranian embassy siege documentary operation Nimrod. Shortened down a little version but the best. (Edit; just seen a full version of the above put up in full in several parts, put up by "old Boy" )

Please check out the siege of Jadetville in the Congo it will blow your mind. 🇮🇪😊☘️

There's a 2017 movie called "6 days" starring Jamie Bell. COBRA, Cabinet Office Briefing Room A. There's a B etc but A is used for crisis meetings. The Metropolitan Police have SO19 firearms unit, a bit like SWAT but when you want to kill terrorists then it's a job for SAS as we don't like to see our Police performing military type operations. The fact that one of them survived was a mistake. The SAS had been instructed that there was to be no arrests. The survivor was mistaken for a hostage, everyone had their hands tied behind their backs and put face down in the rear garden. The mistake spotted they were taking him back inside the embassy to correct it when someone spotted a photographer taking pictures from a wall overlooking them. The guy was handed to the police. Margaret Thatcher the Prime Minister visited the SAS after the assault, she congratulated them for their work but let them know she wasn't happy about the 5/6. Though she did provide bears. The assault was shown live on TV interrupting the snooker final, I watched it before going to work.

What I remember is that people dragged a piano onto a neighbouring balcony and were si🎉nging "10 Ayatollas sitting on a wall" to the tune of 10 green bottles. Typically British response.

only just learned about this channel,be a fan of "imbrace the suck 21" for years and with Spencers trip to uk (cardiff as im from there) decided to dig around,i spent 10 years in the British infantry and i heard theres some good stuff going on here,ok just watched the vid,like in other comments on here this was the 1st time the british public seen the SAS in action,rember during 1970-1980 there was a lot of crazy stuff going on in what today we know as Iran & Iraq,when it comes to "counter terrorism" the SAS invented the way that the UK & many nations deal with it,they are not police,in fact i belive the police CTSFO are trained in some aspects by the SAS,i you need some intresting vids to react to give a heads up mate,i watched a lot :) i been on youtube since 2006

If you think that ops crazy Dan you should look up Operation Barras where the SAS and SBS took on a warlord and his whole rebel army to rescue British soldiers in the jungle. Theres a film called 6 days starring Jamie Bell and Mark Strong about the embassy siege which is on netflix. Also if you look up John McAleese, Robin Horsfall and Rusty Firmin there are lots of interviews of them giving a first hand account of the Assault as well as their exploits in the Falklands

You should check out the movie called 6 Days. It's not a perfect recreation of the Princes Gate seige, but it's pretty good.

I remember it well. Sadly 26 years after I was born 😆... as for the film, my initial thought is that Trevor and Phillip from South Park might have done a better job. It's worth having a look at the short piece of live film of the event.

Go watch Ultimate Force, first episode is very bloody lots of double taps from the SAS.

You have to see a programme which shows the live footage!... The SAS were introduced to the world

I saw this live, it was the first time the public saw the SAS, and it was so badass. I remember feeling really proud of our guys.