Abigail Stigers

Iran Contra
"A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms
for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's
true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not. As the Tower
board reported, what began as a strategic opening to Iran
deteriorated, in its implementation, into trading arms for
hostages."
Ronald Reagan

The seniors of the Reagan Administration secretly sold weapons

to Iran. With the sale of they hoped for the release of the US
hostages held in Lebanon. With the money from the sale, they
used the money to fund the contras in Nicaragua. [Even though
the congress had prohibited funding the Contras (Under the
Boland Amendment)] The seniors planned that Israel would ship
the weapons to Iran. Then we would resupply Israels weapons,
and we would receive the Israeli payment.
Significance
The Iran-Contra (AKA Irangate or Contragate) was important
because even if we ruined some relationships with other
countries, we got to where we are now, and we also got our

hostages back. Even If I dont agree with the way we got our
hostages back, I feel like it was efficient.

Personal Statement
I feel like the Iran-Contra was effective, but at the same time, I
feel like it could have been handled in a different way that
maybe wouldnt have caused as much drama or issues between
us and other countries especially with the counties that we have
good relationships with.
Why were we so secretive?
We didnt want Iran or Iraq to know that we were supporting both
of them at the same time especially while they were fighting
each other.
Could it have been handled in any other way?
I actually dont know if there was another way to handle it.
I feel like the way we did handle it maybe wasnt the best plan,
but it was effective none-the-less.