6 Days (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The Iranian government refused to release the 91 Arab prisoners because they did not want to appear capitulating to terrorist demands. The Iranian regime viewed the seizure of their London embassy as an internal Iranian matter and was unwilling to set a precedent of negotiating with hostage-takers. This refusal left the UK government in an extremely difficult position, forcing them to choose between appearing complicit in terrorism or risking the lives of the hostages.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes earlier that previous international terrorist attacks had been resolved through negotiations, which only encouraged further attacks.

• iranian government
• prisoners
• demands
• negotiation
• refusal

The SAS waited because the British government needed to exhaust all diplomatic options and faced immense pressure to avoid a bloody confrontation. Each day of negotiation provided time for intelligence gathering and planning. Additionally, any assault carried significant risk to the hostages, and the government was acutely aware that a failed operation would have severe political consequences, especially given Thatcher's recent assumption of office.

Foreshadowing: Early in the film, Thatcher's government is shown carefully weighing every decision, aware that the world's media was watching.

• sas
• 6 days
• waiting
• government
• thatcher

The final assault was triggered when Faisal, Salim's right-hand man, shot and killed a hostage after the demand for buses to Heathrow Airport was not met. This direct loss of innocent life forced the British government's hand, and with the SAS already positioned and ready, they authorized the operation immediately. Rusty Firmin coordinated the assault while Max Vernon kept Salim distracted on the telephone line.

Foreshadowing: The film builds tension through repeated unmet demands, with each threat bringing the situation closer to violence.

• faisal
• hostage killed
• day 6
• assault
• trigger

The government considered the skylight infiltration plan too risky because it would require the SAS to enter the building with limited visibility and potentially encounter armed terrorists in close quarters without adequate backup routes. The risk of casualties among both the hostages and the SAS soldiers was deemed unacceptable, especially with the world's media watching. The government preferred to wait for a clearer tactical advantage rather than rush an operation that could result in a disaster.

Foreshadowing: The film shows the SAS commanders discussing alternative entry points, but each option presents significant dangers.

• skylight
• plan
• risky
• government
• assault plan

The SAS used the extra time bought by the initial negotiations and the hostage release to gather intelligence through surveillance and observation. They monitored the building, gathered information from previous visitors to the embassy, and built a picture of the interior layout. They also discovered that the terrorists were heavily armed with Soviet-era grenades, which heightened concerns about the dangers of any assault.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows that the SAS used the 48-hour extension from the bus demand to intensify their intelligence work.

• sas
• intelligence
• gathering
• embassy
• surveillance

Thatcher was hesitant because she was newly in office and acutely aware that any failure would have catastrophic political consequences. The recent failed US mission to free American captives in Iran loomed large as a cautionary example. Additionally, with global media scrutiny intense, the world was watching her every decision. She needed to balance the need for decisive action against the very real possibility of a botched operation that could cost multiple lives.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with context about Thatcher's recent rise to power and the failed US mission in Iran, establishing the stakes she faced.

• thatcher
• hesitant
• authorization
• political
• risk

Max Vernon played a critical role by maintaining constant communication with Salim, the terrorist leader. During the final assault, he kept Salim engaged on the telephone line, distracting him while the SAS teams breached the building. His negotiations also bought valuable time for the SAS to gather intelligence and prepare their assault plan. By building a rapport with Salim, Vernon was able to prevent premature violence and create the window the SAS needed.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the siege, Vernon is shown building a tentative relationship with Salim, which becomes crucial in the final moments.

• max vernon
• negotiator
• distraction
• salim
• phone call

The terrorists killed hostages to demonstrate their resolve and put pressure on the British government to meet their demands. After the initial deadline passed without the release of the 91 Arab prisoners, Salim executed a hostage to prove he was serious. On Day 6, Faisal killed another hostage when the demand for buses was not fulfilled. These executions were meant to show that the terrorists would follow through on their threats, escalating the pressure on authorities.

Foreshadowing: From the beginning, the terrorists issue a clear ultimatum with a noon deadline, establishing that they would take lethal action.

• terrorists
• hostage killed
• execution
• demands
• ultimatum

The 1980 siege is considered pivotal because it established the model for how governments would handle future terrorist hostage situations. Thatcher's decision to authorize the SAS assault, rather than negotiate indefinitely, set a new precedent of refusing to capitulate to terrorist demands. This approach influenced counter-terrorism strategies worldwide, demonstrating that military force could be used successfully to resolve hostage crises while minimizing further casualties.

Foreshadowing: The film explicitly states at the end that this operation became a template for future government responses to terrorism.

• pivotal
• counter-terrorism
• precedent
• thatcher
• legacy

Salim released one hostage due to illness, showing a brief moment of humanity amid his otherwise violent demands. This gesture was likely calculated to build trust with negotiator Max Vernon and potentially create a sense of reciprocity. However, Salim remained firm in his ultimate threat to execute the remaining hostages if the 91 prisoners were not released, demonstrating that the release was a tactical move rather than a genuine shift in his position.

Foreshadowing: The hostage release provided the SAS with crucial extra time to prepare their intelligence and assault plans.

• salim
• hostage release
• illness
• negotiation
• tactical