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TEHRAN — Many of the Iranians who led the storming of the US embassy in Tehran 30 years ago, inspired by the newly-created Islamic Republic, have become severe critics of the regime they helped to establish.

The students who captured the city centre compound of "The Great Satan" and who took more than 50 US diplomats hostage said they acted in response to Washington's refusal to hand over deposed shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

They feared a repetition of US interference such as the CIA-organised coup in 1953 that overthrew nationalist prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh.