The Iran-Contra affair was a political scandal in the United States that came to light in 1986.
It was the result of the Reagan administration secretly providing arms to Iran in an attempt to secure the release of American hostages being held by Iranian-backed terrorists in Lebanon.
The proceeds from the arms sales were then illegally used to fund anti-Sandinista rebels (known as Contras) in Nicaragua.
The affair led to several high-profile investigations and the conviction of several members of the Reagan administration.