Considering that the Carter administration could not release the American held captives diplomatically, the special unit "Delta Force" of the American armed forces was assigned to free the captives in a commando operation and to In this way, the American forces left for Tabas from the Persian Gulf, but after being deployed in the Tabas desert and before moving to Tehran, they were hit by a sandstorm and were unable to continue their mission.
Imam Khomeini in the same days, during an important message they issued regarding the open military attack of the United States, pointed out this subtle point:
"Shouldn't they wake up, those who don't pay attention to spirituality and don't believe in this unseen? Shouldn't they wake up?" become Who shot down the helicopter of Mr. Carter who wanted to come to Iran? did we crash The sand fell. The sands were the messengers of God. The wind is God's messenger. The wind destroyed the people of Ad; This wind is God's messenger. These sands are all agents. Let them experience it again."
Now, more than four decades on from the failure of the American government in the Tabas operation, the Islamic Republic of Iran moves ahead with growing authority … in the path of realizing the fundamental slogans of the Islamic Revolution, preserving national independence, prosperity and all-round progress [through] deepening friendly relations with nations, … countries and international organizations, based on mutual respect and preservation of common interests, in addition to neutralizing all kinds of American threats and sanctions.
Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic delivered a message to condemn the US act. part of the historic message comes as following:
The complete text of the message comes as following:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Now, our noble nation, a warrior nation, should come to itself to trust in God the Almighty and pretend in His design with all the ability and get prepared for a war against its own enemies because the big Satan has taken up his foolish mischief. The military, the army, the security forces, the volunteers, and the ganders—all should be alert and ready. The military of twenty million volunteers who have equipped themselves for sacrifice for Islam should be at standstill to defend their country when necessary.
They should not give into the terror of this failed attempt of America. God the omnipotent has defeated them. We are at the right. God is with us. I admonish Carter if he repeats again such a foolish act it will be difficult for us and the government to control the Muslim fighters and youths (Muslim students following in the footsteps of the Imām) who are guarding the spies. He himself personally shall be responsible for their safety. Finally, I would like to remark that the perverse and deviated groups in Kurdistān, which are anti-Islam, committed the troubles.
In the colleges, the leftist groups, pro-America, did all that turbulence and tumult in the sacred places. The disturbances and clashes that the illegitimate government of Iraq is doing at the borders; it appears that all these are linked with tangible proof to the assault of Carter and his military intervention.
At this sensitive time, if these perverted and devious groups go on with their mischievous, the nation will conclude that the mischief-mongers have a close contact and connection directly with America—the world-hungry. As such it will decide its obligation towards them. To ignore or to forget or to forego or to pardon will not be our polity then. I request all the youth to join the nation in defending the country. The unity is now in the interest of the country. Therefore, keep aside the perverted schools. I pray to God for the greatness of Islam and Muslims and the break of the links of tyrants.
May God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rūhullāh al-Mūsawī al-Khomeinī