Operation Eagle Claw, known as Operation Tabas (Persian: عملیات طبس) in Iran,[1] was a United States Armed Forces operation ordered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter to attempt to end the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52 embassy staff held captive at the Embassy of the United States, Tehran on 24 April 1980. Its failure and aftermath damaged U.S. prestige worldwide.[citation needed] Carter blamed his loss in the 1980 U.S. presidential election mainly on his failure to secure the release of the hostages.