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This same contradiction in the narrative was revisited in 2003 when the US invaded Iraq to oust [[Saddam Hussein]]. A much publicized photo from 1982 of [[Donald Rumsfeld]] shaking hands with Saddam was circulated, recalling a time when the US sided with Iraq in its war with Iran. Critics of Reagan and Bush swallowed the CIA Iran/Contra cover story hook-line-and-sinker, that after the US quit supporting Saddam in 1985, a few belated arms shipments to Iran in 1986 had funded the entire Contra War from its beginning 1981, and not the Clinton's Arkansas drug running operation which had been ongoing since 1981.

This same contradiction in the narrative was revisited in 2003 when the US invaded Iraq to oust [[Saddam Hussein]]. A much publicized photo from 1982 of [[Donald Rumsfeld]] shaking hands with Saddam was circulated, recalling a time when the US sided with Iraq in its war with Iran. Critics of Reagan and Bush swallowed the CIA Iran/Contra cover story hook-line-and-sinker, that after the US quit supporting Saddam in 1985, a few belated arms shipments to Iran in 1986 had funded the entire Contra War from its beginning 1981, and not the Clinton's Arkansas drug running operation which had been ongoing since 1981.

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.

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>[https://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>

==George H.W. Bush involvement==

==George H.W. Bush involvement==

In addition to the role of future President Clinton, controversy has also focused upon the role of future President George H. W. Bush.  The Walsh report noted:

In addition to the role of future President Clinton, controversy has also focused upon the role of future President George H. W. Bush.  The Walsh report noted:

{{cquote| In an early interview with the FBI in December 1986 and in the OIC deposition in January 1988, Bush acknowledged that he was regularly informed of events connected with the Iran arms sales, including the 1985 Israeli missile shipments.2 These statements conflicted with his more extreme public assertions that he was "out of the loop" regarding the operational details of the Iran initiative and was generally unaware of the strong opposition to the arms sales by Secretary of Defense Weinberger and Secretary of State George P. Shultz. He denied knowledge of the diversion of proceeds from the arms sales to assist the contras.3 He also denied knowledge of the secret contra-resupply operation supervised by North.4<ref>http://fas.org/irp/offdocs/walsh/chap_28.htm</ref>}}

{{cquote| In an early interview with the FBI in December 1986 and in the OIC deposition in January 1988, Bush acknowledged that he was regularly informed of events connected with the Iran arms sales, including the 1985 Israeli missile shipments.2 These statements conflicted with his more extreme public assertions that he was "out of the loop" regarding the operational details of the Iran initiative and was generally unaware of the strong opposition to the arms sales by Secretary of Defense Weinberger and Secretary of State George P. Shultz. He denied knowledge of the diversion of proceeds from the arms sales to assist the contras.3 He also denied knowledge of the secret contra-resupply operation supervised by North.4<ref>https://fas.org/irp/offdocs/walsh/chap_28.htm</ref>}}

Bush had also failed to produce his private diary in response to the independent counsel's subpeonas.

Bush had also failed to produce his private diary in response to the independent counsel's subpeonas.