Question

In the Iran–Contra Affair, why were weapons sold to Iran, which was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984? Check all that apply.

to support moderate factions in the Iranian government
to undermine communist influence in Iran
to help gain the release of U.S. hostages in the Middle East
to support Iran in the Iran–Iraq War
to try to gain influence in Iran

Answer 1

In the Iran-Contra Affair, weapons were sold to Iran to help gain the release of U.S. hostages in the Middle East.

In the 1980s, officials of the government of the president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, organized an operation to sell arms to Iran to finance the "Nicaraguan Contra", the right-wing guerrillas that opposed the Sandinista National Liberation Front, the party in power.

The sale of arms, moreover, was aimed at persuading Iran to release American hostages kidnapped by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon.

US Congress had prohibited government organizations from financing the activities of the Nicaraguan "contra". But officials of the Reagan administration, including Colonel North, turned to the National Security Council, which was not explicitly mentioned in the law drafted by Congress, to raise funds for the guerrillas.

Members of the NSC also participated in the illegal shipment of arms to Iran. At that time there was a trade embargo imposed by the United States. The scandal was discovered in 1986 when Lebanese newspapers revealed the arms sales operation.