Reagan staff sold them weapons in order to release several american hostages in Iran.
The hostages were freed in 1981 after Reagan’s inauguration.
The hostage crisis occured when 52 diplomat from the United States were detained by Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line who supported the Iranian Revolution. Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981.