On the 40th anniversary of the U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran, the White House issued a statement asserting that “the Iranian regime continues to target innocent civilians for use as pawns in its failed foreign relations. Until Iran changes this and its other hostile behaviour, we will continue to impose crippling sanctions”. It added that “the Iranian regime has a choice. Instead of being the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, it can put the Iranian people first. It can choose peace over hostage taking, assassinations, sabotage, maritime hijacking and attacks on global oil markets. The U.S. seeks peace, and we support the Iranian people. It is time for the Iranian regime to do the same”.