The Iran-Contra Scandal: A Shocking Tale of Covert Operations, Arms Deals, And Betrayal at The Pinnacle of Governance Throughout the Regan Admi

The Iran-Contra Scandal was a covert operation that was carried out by the government of the United States of America during the 1980s. There were two clandestine actions involved in this scheme: the first was the sale of weaponry to Iran, which was subject to an arms embargo; the second was the use of the revenues to pay the Contras, a rebel group in Nicaragua.

When a newspaper in Lebanon published an article in November 1986, it showed that the United States had been providing arms to Iran covertly. This was the beginning of the controversy. Because Iran was seen as a sworn adversary of the United States at the time, and because it was against the law for the United States to transfer weaponry to Iran, this discovery came as a complete surprise. As the inquiry progressed, it became clear that the funds from the sale of weaponry were being transferred to the Contras, who were engaged in a struggle against the communist government of Nicaragua. This was especially contentious due to the fact that Congress had expressly prohibited the use of federal funding to provide support to the Contras organizations.

A pattern of dishonesty and criminal action at the highest levels of government was exposed as a result of the scandal, which caused the Reagan administration to be shaken significantly. A number of officials were indicted and found guilty, although the majority of them were eventually granted pardons. Concerns were also raised regarding the scope of presidential authority and the supervision of covert activities as a result of the affair involving Iran and Contra.

Despite the violation of laws and the damage to Reagan's reputation caused by the Iran-Contra affair, his popularity eventually recovered. In 1989, he concluded his term with the most favorable public opinion rating among any presidents since Franklin Roosevelt.