Iran & America: A Century and Counting · Episode 6 of 11 · 18 min
Iran–Contra, the Tanker War & Flight 655: The 1980s That Broke Trust
Through the 1980s, secret arms sales, a naval conflict in the Persian Gulf and a shot-down airliner hardened the enmity. Reagan officials sold missiles to Iran and diverted proceeds to Nicaraguan rebels, U.S. and Iranian forces fought directly, and in 1988 the USS Vincennes killed all 290 aboard Iran Air Flight 655. Washington expressed regret but never formally apologized.
Who's who
- Ronald Reagan+11 more episodesPresident whose senior officials ran the secret arms sales
- William Casey+2 more episodesReagan-era figure tied to the Iran–Contra affair
Where it happens
- Persian Gulf+3 more episodesWaters where U.S. and Iranian forces clashed during the Tanker War
- Iraq+1 more episodeFavored by Washington in the Iran–Iraq War
- LebanonWhere American hostages were held; arms sales aimed partly to free them
- NicaraguaHome of the Contra rebels who received the diverted proceeds
Timeline
- 1985–1987Iran–Contra: missiles are secretly sold to Iran and proceeds illegally diverted to the Contras.
- 1987–1988The Tanker War: the U.S. Navy escorts Kuwaiti tankers and clashes with Iranian forces.
- April 1988After an Iranian mine nearly sinks the USS Samuel B. Roberts, Operation Praying Mantis destroys much of Iran's navy.
- July 1988The USS Vincennes mistakenly shoots down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 aboard.
← PreviousThe October Surprise: Did Reagan's Camp Delay the 1980 Hostage Release?Next →The Reset That Never Happened: US–Iran Relations in the 1990s
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