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This same contradiction in the narative was revisited in 2003 when the US invaded Iraq to oust [[Saddam Hussein]] and force [[regime change]]. A much publicized photo from 1982 of [[Donald Rumsfeld]] shaking hands with Saddam was circulated, recalling a time when the US supposedly was selling arms to Iran during the [[Iran-Iraq war]]. Critics of the Reagan policy swallowed the CIA cover story hook-line-and-sinker, that a few belated arms shipments to Iran had funded the entire Contra war for the better part of a decade, and not [[Bill Clinton]]'s Arkansas drug running operation.

This same contradiction in the narative was revisited in 2003 when the US invaded Iraq to oust [[Saddam Hussein]] and force [[regime change]]. A much publicized photo from 1982 of [[Donald Rumsfeld]] shaking hands with Saddam was circulated, recalling a time when the US supposedly was selling arms to Iran during the [[Iran-Iraq war]]. Critics of the Reagan policy swallowed the CIA cover story hook-line-and-sinker, that a few belated arms shipments to Iran had funded the entire Contra war for the better part of a decade, and not [[Bill Clinton]]'s Arkansas drug running operation.

After the US dropped Saddam as a client, the first transfer occurred covertly on August 20, 1985, when Israel sent 100 TOW missiles to Iran through an arms dealer named Manucher Ghorbanifar. The US agreed in advance to resupply Israel's stockpile, so the sale was indirect. Subsequently, on September 14, 1985, 408 more TOW missiles to use against Saddam's airforce were delivered. Payment by Ghorbanifar was made through the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International]] (BCCI).<ref>http://www.umsl.edu/~thomaskp/khashoggi.htm</ref> As part of the deal, Iran supposedly would use their "good offices" to influence [[terrorist]] groups holding 7 American hostages. On September 15, 1985, following the second delivery, Reverend Benjamin Weir was released by his captors, the Islamic Jihad Organization.<ref>[http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/PS157/assignment%20files%20public/TOWER%20EXCERPTS.htm#PartII luence "Excerpts from the Tower Commission's Report"], January 26, 1987.</ref> Ultimately two hostages in total were released, but two more were taken, with net gain of zero being released.

After the US dropped Saddam as a client in 1985, the first transfer occurred covertly on August 20 of the same year when Israel sent 100 TOW missiles to Iran through an arms dealer named Manucher Ghorbanifar. The US agreed in advance to resupply Israel's stockpile, so the sale was indirect. Subsequently, on September 14, 1985, 408 more TOW missiles to use against Saddam's airforce were delivered. Payment by Ghorbanifar was made through the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International]] (BCCI).<ref>http://www.umsl.edu/~thomaskp/khashoggi.htm</ref> As part of the deal, Iran supposedly would use their "good offices" to influence [[terrorist]] groups holding 7 American hostages. On September 15, 1985, following the second delivery, Reverend Benjamin Weir was released by his captors, the Islamic Jihad Organization.<ref>[http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/PS157/assignment%20files%20public/TOWER%20EXCERPTS.htm#PartII luence "Excerpts from the Tower Commission's Report"], January 26, 1987.</ref> Ultimately two hostages in total were released, but two more were taken, with net gain of zero being released.

Following the delivery of the shoulder launched missiles to Iran, an assistant to [[Attorney General]] [[Ed Meese]] found a memorandum written by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North documenting diversion of the proceeds of the sale to aid the Contras. When President [[Ronald Reagan]] was informed, he met with representatives of both houses of Congress to disclose their findings; he then asked for the appointment of an independent counsel.<ref>''An American Life, The Autobiography of Ronald Reagan, pg. 530''</ref>

Following the delivery of the shoulder launched missiles to Iran, an assistant to [[Attorney General]] [[Ed Meese]] found a memorandum written by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North documenting diversion of the proceeds of the sale to aid the Contras. When President [[Ronald Reagan]] was informed, he met with representatives of both houses of Congress to disclose their findings; he then asked for the appointment of an independent counsel.<ref>''An American Life, The Autobiography of Ronald Reagan, pg. 530''</ref>