US contractors stranded in Iraq under threat of imminent attack: 'We are sitting ducks'

[karynnj]

16. I am less sure

I would image that at least Obama would try for a diplomatic solution.

A military attack on Iran would likely have resulted in the hostages being killed. Bad as the hostage drama was, American embassy people being publicly killed would have been a bigger disaster.

As it was, it was promised of what became the Iran part of Iran Contra by the Republicans that led to the release as Reagan was being sworn in.