Summary
Overview
The Rest is Classified podcast presents the dramatic final chapter of the Argo rescue mission, detailing the tense escape of six American diplomats from Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on January 28, 1980. Hosts Gordon Carrera and David McCloskey walk through the nerve-wracking airport experience, the immediate aftermath of the successful exfiltration, and explore how this historic CIA-Canadian joint operation would be remembered differently over time, from Canada receiving full credit initially to the CIA's role being declassified in 1997 and eventually dramatized in the 2012 film Argo.
The Early Morning Departure
Tony Mendez wakes at 3 AM on January 28, 1980, surprisingly well-rested despite the high-stakes mission ahead. A New Zealand diplomat provides transportation in the Canadian ambassador's Mercedes, while the six American houseguests prepare at the Sheardown residence, many hungover from the previous night's farewell dinner. The plan calls for Mendez to scout the airport first, with the houseguests following separately in a van driven by an Iranian national who believes they're simply a Canadian-hosted film crew.
- Mendez slept well despite the pressure, having his driver call at 3 AM as planned
- New Zealand diplomat provided the Canadian ambassador's Mercedes for transportation
- Several houseguests were hungover from consuming large quantities of Cointreau the night before
- Lee Schatz was seen making a mad dash to vomit in the bathroom in his underwear
- The Iranian driver had no idea who the houseguests were, believing them to be a film crew
" Mendez writes that he slept like a baby because he was exhausted. "
The First Checkpoint Challenge
At the nearly empty 5 AM airport terminal, the group successfully passes through Swiss Air check-in with minimal scrutiny. However, Lee Schatz inadvertently separates from the group by jumping into the shorter non-smoking line. At immigration control, an officer questions whether Schatz's passport photo matches his appearance, as he had trimmed his mustache since the photo was taken. After a tense moment where the officer disappears into a back room with the passport, Schatz uses hand gestures to explain the trimmed mustache and is eventually waved through.
- The terminal was empty at 4 AM with just revolutionary guards in green fatigues wandering around looking bored
- Lee Schatz accidentally separated from the group by using the non-smoking check-in line
- Immigration officer questioned if the passport photo matched Schatz due to his trimmed mustache
- Schatz used finger gestures mimicking scissors to explain he had trimmed his mustache
- Several Iranians ahead in line were caught trying to travel on false documents
" The immigration officer studies Schatz's passport and says, is this your photo? Schatz says, of course, you know, he's probably starting to freak out a little bit. "
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