Foley Considering Formal Inquiry on Iran Hostage Release

House Speaker Thomas S. Foley (D-Wash.) said Friday that although he is “not interested in a big television extravaganza,” he is inclined to authorize a formal investigation into persistent “rumors” that Republicans connected with the 1980 Reagan-Bush presidential campaign made a deal with Iran not to release 52 Americans held hostage there until after the election.

Foley said he probably would announce his decision on the politically explosive “October surprise” issue before the congressional recess begins Aug. 2. An investigation could be done by a House committee, a joint House-Senate committee or a congressionally appointed independent commission, he said.

House aides have been informally exploring a spate of recently revived claims of a secret deal. Granting official subpoena power would increase the “opportunity” of substantiating or disproving the reports, Foley said at a press breakfast.

Foley denied there were partisan motivations or political risks for the Democrats in opening an investigation into allegations that the late CIA Director William J. Casey, Reagan’s campaign chairman in 1980, led an effort to prevent a Tehran hostage release from becoming an “October surprise” that could have aided President Carter’s reelection chances.