Former U.S. intelligence agent Tony Mendez, architect of 'Argo' rescue, dies at 78

Tony Mendes, Agent of the Central Intelligence Agency, died at the age of 78 in the US. Mandes is known for organizing safe returns in the 1980s for some US citizens hiding in the Canadian Embassy during the Iran hostage crisis.

Former CIA director Michael Morel praised Mendes on twitter: "Tony was one of the best officers to always serve in the CIA. His work was unique and it helped to protect our country, he will miss."

Mendes once told the Washington Post, that he considered himself "an artist." Before applying for a job as a graphic artist in 1965, he worked as Draftman, which turned into CIA. Menezes posted his 25-year career mostly in the US, many in Asia. A process called "exfoliation", especially in the removal of people in areas that have become dangerous for them. He used Hollywood makeup and special effects for his work, later published his memoir The Master of Doubles.
Mendez's wife Janana Mendes, also the CIA, said, "She can be a Pakistani, she can be Mexican, she can be from different countries It was incredible to work with my husband."

In 1979, the revolutionaries took control of Iran and captured the US Embassy, ​​where dozens of people hostage. They will be held for 444 days. Six US diplomats escaped to the Canadian Embassy and Mendes and other agents successfully smuggled them from their country into a movie called Armo, a Canadian film crew. The events were called "Canadian Sipper" and later the Academy Award winner of the same name - Argo - 2012 in Ben Affleck's instructions and Mendes.

For her work, Menezes was given a detective star by US President Jimmy Carter, although in 1997 the secret secret of CIA involvement in Argo Rescue was.

Afleck tweeted, "Tony Mendes was a real American hero, he was a man with extraordinary grace, humility, humility and kindness, he never wanted spotlight for his work, he only wanted to serve his country. I am very proud to work for him. And there is a saying in his story. "


According to his preacher, Mendes died of Parkinson's disease. He survived his wife Jonana, two marriages, two grandchildren, and three sisters from her sister. Another boy has predicted him He has written three books, one of his wives. One fourth, co-written with Jonah Mendes, is due in May.