Final answer:
In the 1980s, the United States received direct and covert aid from Iran to help retrieve American hostages and provided support to Iraq during the Iraq-Iran War.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1980s, the United States received several things from Iran. One of the things it received was direct and covert aid from the Iranian government to help retrieve American hostages who were captured by the anti-Jewish faction Hezbollah. In exchange for this help, the Reagan administration authorized the sale of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. Another thing that the United States received from Iran in the 1980s was the opportunity to provide support to Iraq during the Iraq-Iran War. The United States provided tentative support to Iraq due to the belief that an Iranian victory would go against America's strategic interests in the Middle East.