Transcript Iran- Contra Affair

Trent Kress
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 1986.
 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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R67CHqhXJs&feature=player_detailpage
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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.
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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.
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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.