UK's Thatcher appealed to Iran over US hostages

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher made a previously unknown effort to secure the release of American hostages in Iran and predicted that Ronald Reagan would confound expectations following his election, newly disclosed files revealed Thursday.

The documents from 1980, made public under Britain's 30-year disclosure rule, also recount Thatcher's clashes with her central bank governor, diplomats and royal officials, burnishing her reputation as a combative national leader. (AP)