Meaning: The quote by Akbar Rafsanjani, a prominent Iranian politician, refers to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, during which 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days after the US Embassy in Tehran was seized by Iranian militants. Rafsanjani's statement reflects the Iranian perspective that they did not mistreat the Americans and that the situation was instigated by the actions of the United States.

In the quote, Rafsanjani asserts that the Americans were not treated badly by Iran. He claims that the Americans left Iran in a relaxed mood and that the embassy was active in Iran after the revolution, implying that there were no hostile actions towards the American diplomats prior to the seizure of the embassy. Rafsanjani denies any problems with the Americans and shifts the blame by stating, "They started it."

To understand the context of Rafsanjani's statement, it is important to delve into the events leading up to the Iran hostage crisis. The crisis began on November 4, 1979, when a group of Iranian students and militants stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, taking its occupants hostage. The seizure of the embassy was a culmination of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following the Iranian Revolution earlier that year, which had led to the overthrow of the US-backed Shah of Iran and the establishment of an Islamic republic.

Rafsanjani's assertion that the Americans were not mistreated and that the embassy was active after the revolution may be interpreted as an attempt to portray Iran as having acted reasonably and without hostility towards the United States. This perspective contrasts with the widely held view in the United States and much of the international community, which condemns the hostage-taking as a violation of diplomatic norms and an act of aggression against the United States.

The Iranian perspective on the hostage crisis is rooted in a deep-seated mistrust and resentment towards the United States, stemming from a history of US intervention in Iran's internal affairs, including the CIA-orchestrated coup in 1953 that overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and reinstated the Shah to power. The US support for the Shah's regime, which was widely perceived as oppressive and corrupt, further fueled anti-American sentiment in Iran.

Rafsanjani's statement reflects a narrative often promoted by Iranian officials and sympathizers, which seeks to justify Iran's actions during the hostage crisis by framing them as a response to perceived US interference and aggression. By downplaying any mistreatment of the American hostages and placing the blame on the United States for instigating the crisis, Rafsanjani's quote serves to reinforce the Iranian government's position and to challenge the prevailing Western narrative of the events.

In conclusion, Akbar Rafsanjani's quote encapsulates the Iranian perspective on the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, portraying Iran as having acted reasonably and without hostility towards the United States while attributing blame to the US for initiating the crisis. The quote reflects the deep-rooted animosity and mistrust between the two countries, shaped by historical grievances and geopolitical tensions. Understanding and acknowledging these differing perspectives is crucial in fostering dialogue and reconciliation between the United States and Iran.