Weapon Sales to Iran
In 1985, Iran secretly requested to buy weapons from the United States. Despite the prohibition against selling arms to Iran, Reagan approved. The sale of arms would not only improve U.S. relations with Iran, but might also improve connections with other countries, increasing overall U.S. influence in the Middle East. Reagan also wanted to secure the release of seven American Hostages being held by Iranian terrorists he had been trying to bring home.
Sales went through Israel to make it seem like the government was simply aiding an ally. However, the arms sale quickly turned into an “arms-for-hostages” situation. Reagan specifically claimed that they were NOT trading arms for hostages, or dealing with terrorists, even though they were. Much trade of military weapons, including mostly TOW missiles and Hawk missiles, ensued, resulting in the release of all of the American hostages and a total of over 1500 various types of American arms to Iran.
Sales went through Israel to make it seem like the government was simply aiding an ally. However, the arms sale quickly turned into an “arms-for-hostages” situation. Reagan specifically claimed that they were NOT trading arms for hostages, or dealing with terrorists, even though they were. Much trade of military weapons, including mostly TOW missiles and Hawk missiles, ensued, resulting in the release of all of the American hostages and a total of over 1500 various types of American arms to Iran.