The Beirut Branch

Abstract

In response to the takeover of the American Embassy in Iran in 1979, President Jimmy Carter issued two executive orders freezing assets owned by the Iranian government and by Iranian citizens and held by U.S. financial institutions. The case examines an incident that arose following the implementation of these orders and examines (1) the use of global businesses as instruments of foreign policy; (2) issues of cross-cultural communication and trust; and (3) crisis management. The case may be useful for classes in international business, in negotiation, and in conflict resolution.