The White House says it is taking seriously some claims of Americans held during the Iran hostage crisis.

NPR: Ahmadinejad's Role in Iran Hostage Crisis Disputed

But for most people in America, the Iran hostage crisis was a distant memory until "Argo" brought it all back.

CNN: 'Argo' could help compensate former Iran hostages

But the Iran hostage crisis played a huge role because the American people were horrified that our fellow citizens were being held hostage, number one.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Monica Crowley, Mightier Pen 2012

"Argo, " a thriller centered on the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, last month landed the best film award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Golden Globes.

CNN: Stars flock to London for Bafta ceremony

As the 39th U.S. president, Carter pursued the Camp David Accords and the Panama Canal treaties, but his last year in power was dominated by the Iran hostage crisis.

CNN: Quest for peace

Affleck plays CIA agent Tony Mendez, who masterminded the daring rescue of six U.S. embassy workers in Iran after the 1979 hostage crisis erupted.

NPR: 'Argo,' Lawrence, Day-Lewis Win At SAG

Partial sanctions were imposed on Iran after the 1979 hostage crisis.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: A non-violent tool for countering the Iranian threat

He was the principal White House aide for Iran during the 1979 Iranian Revolution and ensuing hostage crisis.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Rise of the ��Iran Lobby��

In fact, American diplomats are talking about resuming direct talks with Iran over Iraq, and even of sending the first American diplomats to Tehran since the 1979-81 hostage crisis.

ECONOMIST: Iran��s confrontation with the West

The country suffered its first oil crisis, unemployment, interest rates and inflation were increasing, and revolutionaries in Iran had taken 52 Americans hostage.

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