Strange shipments we make to Iran

"U.S. ships cigarettes, lots more to Iran," the heading of an article by Sharon Theimer (Associated Press).

It's not the cigarettes that bother me; it's the "lots more" that does. Guess what the "lots more" is?

During the Bush administration, "the U.S. government's own figures show at least $148,000 worth of unspecified weapons and other military gear were exported from the U.S. to Iran, including $106,635 in military rifles and $8,760 in rifle parts and accessories. . .Also shipped to Iran were at least $13,000 in aircraft launching gear and or deck arresters, equipment needed to launch jets from aircraft carriers."

Continuing to read the press release, I find the government is questioning whether the report by Associated Press is accurate, saying that shipping records are subject to human error, such as citing wrong commodity codes or recording "Iran" instead of "Iraq." Oh my!

To my way of thinking, this is just inconceivable.

Continuing, the article states: "Iran received at least $620,000 in aircraft parts and $19,600 in aircraft during Bush's terms. Iran relies on spare parts from other countries to keep its commercial and military aircraft flying ."

I am wondering if there will be a follow-up or if this is the last I will read of this debacle.

Florence Smith

Mount Prospect