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

In 1986, both houses of Congress moved to establish special committees to conduct their own investigations of the Iran-Contra affair.

From Washington Times • Dec. 4, 2020

When National Security Council staffer Oliver North enthusiastically testified in favor of President Ronald Reagan in the Iran-Contra affair, he became a darling of conservatives, launching a new career as media personality and political activist.

From Reuters • Nov. 14, 2019

In the 1980s, the House Intelligence Committee faced one of its greatest challenges — the Iran-Contra affair.

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2019