The Iran-Contra Affair was a political scandal in the United States during the 1980s. It involved secret dealings where the U.S. government sold arms to Iran, which was under an arms embargo, to fund the Contras, a rebel group in Nicaragua. This was controversial because Congress had prohibited aid to the Contras, making the operation illegal. The scandal came to light in 1986, leading to investigations and public outrage. Key figures, including Oliver North, faced scrutiny for their roles in the affair. Ultimately, the Iran-Contra Affair raised questions about government accountability and the limits of executive power.