Battleground 376. The SAS and the Iranian Embassy Siege: Part 1
Mar 4, 2026
A tense retelling of the six‑day Iranian Embassy siege and how it thrust a secretive special forces unit into the spotlight. The geopolitical sparks behind the attack and the group's motivations are unpacked. Trouble spots include Iraqi support, covert arms smuggling, and the dramatic preparations inside COBRA. The narrative builds to the fateful decision to launch a bold rescue operation.
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Munich Massacre Triggered Modern Counter Terror Units
- The 1972 Munich massacre forced Western governments to create dedicated counter-terrorism units to handle hostage crises.
- Britain formed an SAS counter-terrorist wing (Special Projects/Pagoda) quickly after Munich, repurposing SAS skills for domestic hostage rescue.
SAS Supported GSG-9 In The Mogadishu Hijack
- The SAS secretly assisted West German GSG-9 in 1977 to retake a hijacked Lufthansa flight in Mogadishu.
- The operation freed passengers and saw SAS personnel honoured privately, underscoring early covert CT cooperation.
Local Grievance Drove An International Embassy Siege
- The Iranian embassy siege was driven by Arab separatists from Khuzestan who felt betrayed by Khomeini after supporting the 1979 revolution.
- The DRFLA attackers sought release of prisoners and autonomy, linking local grievances to an international hostage strategy.