Action in Iran

The impoundment of 60 United States foreign service officers by followers of Ayatollah Khomeini is a clear violation of the territorial sanctity of foreign missions, a fundamental international understanding. There is no question that all diplomatic efforts should be made to protect American lives with peaceful means. But if all diplomatic efforts fail and if American lives are in immediate danger, the Carter Administration should not rule out the use of a tactical force specifically ordered to save these lives. Although a state is obliged to respect the territorial rights of another, it has a greater duty to defend the lives of its representatives abroad.