The shipments were real and provided a real glimpse of the USA's weakest links in the presidencies of two Republican presidents.

The transactions (click here) that took place in the Iran-Contra scandal were contrary to the legislation of the Democratic-dominated Congress and contrary to official Reagan administration policy. Part of the deal was that, in July 1985, the United States would send 508 American-made TOW anti-tank missiles...

Below are the same type of weapons sent in hostages for arms under Reagan.

Upwards of 80 American-made TOW anti-tank missiles (click here) reportedly were captured by Al-Qaed-linked fighters in Syria after Western-supported opposition groups were overrun or defected to Al-Nusra Front.

...from Israel to Iran for the safe exchange of a hostage, the Reverend Benjamin Weir. After that successful transfer, the Israelis offered to ship 500 HAWK surface-to-air missiles to Iran in November 1985, ...

Below is the HAWK surface to air missiles made by the USA that are the same munitions sent to Iran.

...in exchange for the release of all remaining American hostages being held in Lebanon. Eventually the arms were sold with proceeds going to the contras, and the hostages were released. In February 1986, 1,000 TOW missiles were shipped to Iran....

These were the same type as above.

...From May to November, there were more shipments of various weapons and parts. Eventually Hezbollah elected to kidnap more hostages following their release of the previous ones, which rendered meaningless any further dealings with Iran. 

REFERENCE: Iran-Contra Affair Foreign Affairs, 1985-1992 "Irangate"