The correct answer is b. the selling of weapons achieved the goals of releasing American hostages held by Iranian terrorists while also funding Nicaraguan rebels resisting Communism. Reagan wanted to end communism and was heavily sympathetic to Nicaragua. He also wanted to negotiate the release of 6 hostages. He managed to get 3 hostages releases, but they were quickly replaced by 3 more. So the plan backfired and American people began to doubt Reagan's honesty.