Changes

===US changes sides===

===US changes sides===

[[File:Handshake300.jpg|right|750px|thumb|[[Rumsfeld]] arranges weapons sales to [[Saddam]] during the [[Iran-Iraq war]]; the [[Contras|Contra war]] was exclusively funded by dope smuggling through Bill Clinton's Arkansas political machine at this time.]]

[[File:Handshake300.jpg|right|750px|thumb|[[Rumsfeld]] arranges weapons sales to [[Saddam]] during the [[Iran-Iraq war]]; the [[Contras|Contra war]] was exclusively funded by dope smuggling through Bill Clinton's Arkansas political machine at this time.]]

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>[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.

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.