Operation Eagle Claw, the U.S. military's attempt to rescue American hostages held in Iran in 1980, was plagued by a series of mishaps and poor planning, resulting in a disastrous outcome. The mission was hampered by faulty intelligence, inadequate training, and communication failures, leading to the loss of eight U.S. service members and the destruction of several aircraft. The operation's ultimate failure was a significant setback for the U.S. military and a source of embarrassment for the Carter administration, as it exposed serious shortcomings in the nation's ability to conduct complex military operations.
