Iran-Contra Affair
A 1980s political scandal in which the Reagan administration secretly sold arms to Iran and diverted funds to support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
Documented record
Known Facts
The Reagan administration secretly sold arms to Iran from 1985 to 1986.
Proceeds from the arms sales were diverted to fund the Contras in Nicaragua.
Congress had explicitly prohibited funding the Contras through the Boland Amendment.
The scandal was exposed in November 1986 by a Lebanese magazine.
Oliver North and others were convicted, but many convictions were later overturned.
President Reagan claimed he was unaware of the diversion of funds.
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
Iran-Contra Hearings (1987)
PRIMARY SOURCECongressional hearings with testimony and documentary evidence.
SOURCE:U.S. Congress
Oliver North's Diaries and Emails
PRIMARY SOURCEDocumentation of the operation from North's personal records.
SOURCE:Congressional investigation
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
Reagan's Denial
TESTIMONYPresident Reagan claimed he did not know about the fund diversion.
SOURCE:Presidential testimony
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
How high did the knowledge of the operation go in the Reagan administration?
What was the full role of Vice President Bush?
Were there other covert operations funded through similar mechanisms?
Why were many convictions overturned?
Chronological record
Timeline
Reagan administration begins supporting Contras.
Boland Amendment prohibits Contra funding.
Arms sales to Iran and fund diversion.
Scandal exposed by Lebanese magazine.
Congressional hearings held.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
Both investigations involve Ronald Reagan.
CIA appear in both.
CIA appear in both.