Trent Kress

 Starting in 1985, the United States sold arms to Iran in exchange for money and the release of 6 US hostages being held in Lebanon.  The U.S. then used the profits to arm and train the contras in Nicaragua.

 The U.S. had Israel ship weapons to Iran, then the U.S. would reimburse Israel with the same weapons and receive monetary benefits.  The national security advisor, Robert MacFarlane was able to convince Israel that the U.S. government approved the sale.  Later sales went directly from the U.S. to Iran through an arms dealer.  By the end of the sales in 1986 over 2,500 missiles worth over $30 million had been sold.

 The sale of arms to Iran was in violation to the official U.S. policy of an arms embargo against Iran.  The Boland Amendment outlawed U.S. assistance to the Contras for the purpose of overthrowing the Nicaraguan government.

 To secure the release of 6 U.S. hostages being held in Lebanon.  To improve U.S. relations in Iran and possibly Lebanon. This gave the U.S. relations in the middle east, something the Soviet Union lacked.  Regan supported the Contra’s effort to overthrow a Marxist government in Nicaragua.

 Part of the plan was that the 6 hostages being held in Lebanon would be released.  Hostages were released over time as the U.S. sold weapons to Iran.  3 hostages were released.  In October of 1986 three more Americans were abducted, it is believed that they were abducted to replace the released hostages.

 Robert MacFarlane, National Security Advisor, had a large role in starting the sale of arms to Iran. He resigned during the scandal  Oliver North of the National Security Council, developed and oversaw the plans to deliver the weapons to Iran. His plans were to deal with Iran personally and to use the profit to fund the Contra.  With the support of the NSC, North’s plan was approved by the new national security advisor John Poindexter without informing President Regan.

 The Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and Secretary of State George Shultz knew about the arms deal, but did not approve of it.  William Casey, head of the CIA, made sure a shipment of missiles was delivered after the release of one hostage to express gratitude.

 President Regan was believed to know and approve of the weapons exchange, but there is no evidence that he was ever involved in the scandal.  The Vice President at the time was George H. W. Bush. There was nothing linking him to the scandal. He would become the next president.

 The scheme was first revealed in a Lebanese news paper in November of  Regan denied that any operation occurred, but a week later he retracted his statements.  He insisted that arms were not exchanged for hostages.  John Poindexter resigned and Oliver North was fired. qhXJs&feature=player_detailpage

 After the discovery they hid as much as possible.  Many documents were shredded, people lied to congress, and they withheld evidence from their trials.  Regan denied involvement and claimed it was the members of his administration to blame.

 Both North and Poindexter were indicted on multiple charges, but received immunity.  William Casey died shortly before his trial.  Caspar Weinberger and Robert MacFarlane were both convicted, but both were pardoned by the new president, George H. W. Bush.  President bush issued 6 pardons in all and nobody involved served any jail time.

 Regan either lied about being involved in the Iran Contra affair.  Or his administration was able to perform illegal activities without Regan knowing.  It showed terrorist groups that the U.S. would work with them  The terrorists could get what they wanted from the United States through the kidnapping and ransom of American citizens.