The Iran-Contra affair, a significant political scandal in the United States, came to light in 1986, shaking the foundations of the Reagan administration. The controversy began when President Ronald Reagan and Attorney General Edwin Meese disclosed that profits from clandestine arms sales to Iran were being secretly funneled to the Contras, a rebel group fighting the Sandinista government in Nicaragua. This revelation raised serious questions about the legality of the U.S. foreign policy and the adherence to established laws regarding arms sales. At the heart of the scandal was a complex web of covert operations conducted by the Reagan administration. The U.S. had initially sought to establish a relationship with Iran, hoping to secure the release of American hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, this strategy became entangled in a larger agenda, as the administration found itself circumventing Congress by diverting the revenue from these arms sales to support the Nicaraguan rebels, an action that was explicitly prohibited by the Boland Amendment. The revelation of these actions sparked outrage across the political spectrum, prompting a series of investigations by Congress and independent counsels. The scandal raised critical questions about executive overreach and accountability, as many accused Reagan and his associates of undermining the checks and balances that define U.S. governance. As the inquiry unfolded, several high-ranking officials were indicted, and the public was left to grapple with the implications of a government operating in secrecy. The Iran-Contra affair not only polarized the nation but also left an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy, altering the landscape of political accountability and governance in the years to follow. Ultimately, it served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the need for transparency in democratic processes.