CHRONOLOGY: U.S. ARMS DEALINGS WITH IRAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B00676R000501110028-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 22, 2011
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: December 5, 1986
• Content Type: MISC

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December 5, 1986
Qirarblogy: U.S. Arms Dealings with Iran
Note: This chronology is unclassified and is based
on a compilation of newspaper accounts as of
Friday, December 5, 1986. Subjective
compilation - accuracy uncertain.
CHFDNOI,OGY
Secretary of State Haig reportedly provides tacit
approval for Israeli shipment of U.S. origin military
equipment to build contacts with the Iranian military.
Approval reportedly rescinded by Haig when he became
convinced that shipments were contrary to U.S.
interests.
U.S. pressures Israel to stop sales to Iran, Israel
publicly agrees not to sell arms to Iran. Moshe Arens
- then Israeli Ambassador to U.S. - confirmed late in
1982 that Israel had provided military equipment to
Iran in 1981 - reportedly 250 spare tires for F-4s.
Israeli sources report that sales by Israel to Iran
continue, including captured materiel from Lebanon war.
Reported sales of $100 million in 1983 alone, including
overhauled jet engines, spare parts for M-48 tanks, and
ammunition.
Robert McFarlane and Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver
North set off on a series of secret missions to London,
Geneva and Iran.
CIA memorandum sent by Mr. Casey to NSC indicating
Khomeini regime might be on verge of collapse and that
U.S. should be in position to move first.
June 3, 1985 Hostage William Buckley reportedly dies in captivity in
Beirut.
June 14, 1985 Hijacking of TWA jet to Beirut.
June 17, 1985 May 17 memorandum apparently leads to NSC draft
proposal circulated to State and Defense suggesting
arms embargo be relaxed and sale of military equipment
be considered. Caspar Weinberger said to describe
proposal as "absurd."
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June 23,24, 1985 Trip to Damascus, Syria by Speaker of Iranian
Parliament Rafsanjani, which U.S. officials have said
helped to lead to the end of TWA hijacking.
June 30, 1985 TWA hostage crisis resolved.
July 1985 An Israeli businessman in contact with Iranian
officials told Shimon Peres, then Prime Minister, that
a swap of arms for U.S. hostages could be arranged.
McFarlane dispatches Michael Ledeen to meet with David
Kimche, Director General of Israel's Foreign Ministry.
Kimche suggests Jacob Nimrodi, a former Mossad agent
with long experience in Tehran and now an arms dealer,
make available to Washington his Iranian contacts. Also
involved: Al Schwimmer, founder of Israel Aircraft
Industries, and Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi, who
introduces Schwimmer and Nimrodi to Iranian exile
businessman Manucher Ghorbanifor.
late July 1985 McFarlane and Kimche meet. Kimche asks that if Israel
provides Iran with American-made arms, would the U.S.
agree to sell Israel the necessary replacements.
early August 1985 McFarlane and Kimche meet again. McFarlane informs
Kimche that the President condones the Israeli transfer
of arms to Iran and provides assurances that Israel
could buy replacements. Sale of arms opposed by Shultz
and Weinberger at the time but President Reagan
provides oral approval.
Sept. 3, 1985 McFarlane and Kimche meet in London. Deal to release
one hostage approved by Iranian Prime Minister Musavi
for delivery of one planeload of U.S. weaponry paid for
by the U.S.
September, 1985 A DC-8 chartered by Israeli arms dealers loaded with
unspecified U.S.-origin equipment departs Israel for
Tehran via Portugal - but no hostages released.
Iran asks for more supplies. Israel refuses. Iran
sent check for $10 million as payment. Israel returned
the check indicating this was not part of the deal.
A second DC-8 was sent, picked up a shipment of
military supplies in Tel Aviv and flew to an Iranian
military base in Tabriz. The aircraft left Iran on
September 14.
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September, 1985
Sept. 14, 1985
After Sept. 14
Oct. 1, 1985
October 1985
October 1985
November 1985
Dec. 4, 1985
Each planeload worth $10-$15 million. Unclear whether
financed by U.S., or "bridging loan" by Khashoggi.
Iranian payment parcelled out to Israel for "expenses",
to U.S. for reimbursement, and $1 million to a Swiss
bank account as directed by Colonel North.
Weinberger instructs aides to prepare shipment of
weapons to "back-fill" Israeli stockpiles drained by
arms sales to Iran.
Benjamin Weir released.
President Reagan calls Prime Minister Peres and thanks
him for his assistance.
Israeli Raid on PLO Headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia.
Reported meeting of U.S. and Iranian officials in
Geneva. U.S. delegation headed by John Poindexter.
A possible third DC-8 flight with arms was made out of
Israel to Iran.
Ship loaded with parts for F-4 jets and helicopters
sails from northern Italy to Israel. Cargo transferred
to a plane carrying Israeli-supplied Hawk missile
parts.
Transit of this plane from Israel via Portugal to Iran
held up by Portuguese authorities. Colonel North asked
to intervene with the Portuguese and with the CIA. Upon
oral request of Col. North, CIA arranges another plane
to deliver to Iran what North tells CIA is
"oil-drilling equipment".
Iran returns obsolete Hawk missile spare parts to
Israel in February 1986.
Following November flight, CIA Deputy Director McMahon
warns that he will not supply CIA assistance again
without a written order from the President.
Col. North and other Americans suspect that Nimrodi and
Schwimmer are trying to make their own arms deals with
the Iranians. In turn, they criticize North for
amateurish U.S. role.
McFarlane becomes convinced that shipment of arms to
Iran is a mistake, simply becoming a ransom payment to
Iran.
Robert McFarlane resigns from the NSC.
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Dec. 6, 1985 White House meeting at which the President approves a
recommendation by Mr. McFarlane, seconded by Shultz and
Weinberger, to halt all further arms sales to Iran and
to inform Israel and Iran of this.
Dec. 8, 1985 McFarlane in London meets with Kimche and Ghorbanifar,
the Iranian go-between, to inform them that while the
U.S. was interested in pursuing political talks with
Iran, it was ruling out any more direct or third party
sales. Both oppose this decision, arguing that without
arms it will be impossible to make progress with Iran.
Dec. 11, 1985 McFarlane reports about his London trip at White House
meeting, Shultz absent. McFarlane leaves government
with the impression that Iran operation has been closed
down.
Sometime in
December 1985 Col. North decides to push Schwimmer and Nimrodi out of
Iran operation in favor of Amiram Nir, counterterrorism
and political adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Peres.
Peres, Shamir and Rabin approve Nir's role as the
Israeli contact after checking with Poindexter.
Early Jan. 1986 White House receives word of Iranian military's
unhappiness with the November Hawk shipment, but that
if newer equipment is furnished, talks about hostages
can continue.
Jan. 7, 1986 Key advisers to Reagan hold "full discussion" again on
proposed arms transfers to Iran. Shultz and Weinberger
oppose the proposal. Shultz and Weinberger unclear on
the outcome of the meeting.
Jan. 17, 1986 President Reagan signs a finding authorizing Iranian
arms transfer program. Casey ordered not to inform the
Intelligence Committees, ordered to keep intelligence
traffic on arms shipments from State and Pentagon.
Later in January Between January and September 1986 some $10 to $30
million in profits from Iranian arms sales transferred
to Swiss accounts for use by the Contras.
February 1986 U.S. ships 500 TOW missiles via Israel to Iran.
March 4, 1986 Resignation of CIA Deputy Director McMahon announced.
April 1986 Rudolph W. Giuliani, U.S. Attorney in Manhattan,
consults with Attorney General Meese, Secretary Shultz
and CIA officials before seeking indictment of 17
international businessmen charged with conspiracy to
sell more than $2 billion in arms to Iran.
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April 15, 1986 U.S. raid on Libya.
April 22, 1986 Giuliani indicts 17 on charges of arms sales to Iran.
April-May 1986 Top Shultz aides learn of U.S. role in facilitating
arms transfers to Iran, inform Shultz, who refuses to
take further action to oppose the program.
May 23, 1986 Col. North asks H. Ross Perot for $2 million in ransom
for the Beirut hostages. Perot agrees, sends courier
with $2 million to Cyprus.
The money, together with military spare parts for Iran
and the release of 300 Lebanese Shi'ite prisoners, is
intended to be exchanged for the release of all U.S.
hostages and an Israeli soldier. Deal falls apart when
pro-Iranian militiamen in Lebanon refuse to release
Israeli soldier. The $2 million is not paid, but spare
parts are delivered.
May 28, 1986 McFarlane, Col. North, retired CIA Tehran Station Chief
George Cave, and Amiram Nir travel to Iran on a plane
from Israel and deliver I-Hawk spare part sets and
missiles. A reported 235 sets delivered altogether.
Retired Major General Richard Secord stays in Israel to
monitor the operation.
McFarlane mission spends 4 days in Tehran, holds talks
with senior representatives of the Foreign ministry and
speaker of the Iranian Parliament Rafsanjani. Talks go
nowhere because of the failure of Iran to live up to a
commitment to release all the hostages. Mc Farlane had
been led to believe that all remaining hostages would
be released by the time he arrived in Tehran. Mission
returns.
During this trip, McFarlane informed of diversion of
funds to the contras, informs no one else because he
apparently believes those diversions represent U.S.
policy.
July 3, 1986 Boeing 707 [N345FA] departed Rijeka, Yugoslavia [origin
point of flight unknown] with 23 tons of military
equipment intended for the Iranian air force.
July 4, 1986 It reportedly arrived in Iran at Tehran's Mehrabad
airport at 5:30 a.m. The aircraft is registered in the
U.S. to a former Iranian, Farhad Azima, based in Kansas
City. His aircraft fly in the Middle East, have flown
for the U.S. Government and have been used to transport
military equipment. The aircraft returned to Madrid,
Spain where Farhad's brother, Fadim, an arms dealer,
resides.
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July 26, 1986 Father Lawrence Jenco released.
May-Aug. 1986 Copenhagen-registered freighter use TH made four trips
from Eilat to Bandar Abbas between May and August, each
time carrying a 900 ton container of U.S. weapons.
August 1986 Another U.S. shipment of TOW missiles to Iran.
Sept. 9, 1986 American Frank Herbert Reed is seized in Beirut,
apparently by Revolutionary Justice Organization, tied
to radical groups in Iran.
Sept. 11, 1986 Foreign Report (published by The Econanist, London)
quoting an intelligence source, reports that Israel,
encouraged by "a group in [the] National Security
Council" may have resumed arms shipments to Iran.
Sept. 12, 1986 American Joseph James Cicippio seized in Beirut by
Revolutionary Justice Organization.
Mid-Oct. 1986 Son-in-law of Ayatollah Montazeri, Mehdi Hashemi,
arrested. Montazeri is Khomeini's designated successor
and reported leader of radical factions in Iran.
Oct. 17, 1986 26 containers of ammunition of Danish freighter Morso
depart Israeli port of Eliat to Bandar Abbas, Iran.
The Morso is owned by the Danish shipping company,
J. Poulsen.
Oct. 21, 1986 American Edward Austin Tracy seized in Beirut by
Revolutionary Justice organization.
late Oct., 1986
Nov. 1, 1986
Additional U.S. shipment of TOW missiles to Iran. A
total of 1,500 TOW missiles sent in August and October
shipments.
Al Shiraa, a Beirut weekly magazine, reveals story of
McFarlane mission. This magazine is considered
pro-Syrian with ties to radical groups in Iran.
Nov. 2, 1986 David Jacobsen released.
Nov. 4, 1986 Iranian Speaker Rafsanjani gives his version of
McFarlane mission to Iran and claims brilliant victory
against the United States.
Nov. 7, 1986 Rafsanjani defends seizure of hostages in Lebanon.
Nov. 13, 1986 President Reagan addresses the nation on Iranian arms
transfers.
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Nov. 19, 1986 President Reagan holds press conference, primarily on
Iran arms transfer issue.
Nov. 20, 1986 Ayatollah Khomeini denounces 7 Majlis members who had
demanded an investigation of Iran dealings with the
U.S.; they withdraw questions.
Nov. 25, 1986 National Security Adviser Poindexter resigns, Colonel
North fired. Attorney General Meese reveals diversion
of funds from Iranian arms sales to the Contras, run as
an NSC operation.
Nov. 26, 1986 Iranian Foreign Minister defends arms deal with the
U.S.
President appoints special three member panel (Tower,
Muskie, Scowcroft) to investigate the NSC and to make
recommendations on the NSC's future role.
Dec. 2, 1986 President announces decision to appoint an Independent
Counsel to investigate Iran/Contra question. Announces
appointment of Frank Carlucci as NSC adviser.
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