Ronald Reagan on Iran-Contra affair

“I have paid a price for my silence in terms of your trust and confidence. But I had to wait for the complete story.”

“Let me say to the hostage families : we have not given up, we never will. And I promise to you that we shall use every legitimate means to free your loved ones.”

“I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's true. But the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.”