Iran-Contra affair

Cultural  

1. A scandal in the administration of President Ronald Reagan, which came to light when it was revealed that in the mid-1980s the United States secretly arranged arms sales to Iran in return for promises of Iranian assistance in securing the release of Americans held hostage in Lebanon. Proceeds from the arms sales then were covertly and illegally funneled to the Contras, rebels fighting the Marxist Sandinista government in Nicaragua.

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Example Sentences

Other prominent investigations led by special counsels looked at weapons sales in the Iran-Contra affair during the Reagan Administration and the real estate and land deals of the Whitewater controversy during the Clinton administration.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2023

The former White House national security adviser was a top aide to President Ronald Reagan who pleaded guilty to charges for his role in an illegal arms-for-hostages deal known as the Iran-Contra affair.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2022

Clarridge would go on to face a perjury indictment for his testimony about the Iran-Contra affair.

From Reuters • Apr. 20, 2022

Over the years it has played host to momentous events, including hearings on Watergate, the Iran-Contra affair, and the sinking of the Titanic.

From Washington Times • Jan. 3, 2022

His "mistakes were made" approach, which uses a passive voice to avoid laying the blame directly on oneself, was later adopted by others, including Ronald Reagan over the Iran-Contra affair.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2021