Pentagon Sees No Need for U.S. Apology on Iran, ‘Others Did It’
- Share via
WASHINGTON — A top Pentagon official said today the Administration does not have to apologize to anyone for delivering arms to Iran because many of America’s allies engaged in similar transactions for profit.
“I don’t think we have to apologize to anyone,” said Richard Perle, assistant defense secretary for international security policy. “A number of allies were engaged in transactions with Iran” for profit, he said. “Whether the (U.S.) decision was right or wrong,” he said, it was not taken in Washington for financial gain.
Furthermore, Perle said, the small amount of arms delivered to Iran “did not change the balance” in that country’s war with Iraq.
At a news conference for foreign correspondents, Perle dodged other questions on the Iran arms- contra affair, saying his knowledge of the details “is limited to what I read in the newspapers.”
But he said Congress should proceed expeditiously with its investigations “and avoid a long period of uncertainty.”
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
