The Iran-Contra affair was a political scandal in the United States during the 1980s. It involved secret arms sales to Iran, which was under an arms embargo, to fund the Contras, a rebel group in Nicaragua fighting against the Sandinista government. This operation was conducted without the approval of Congress, violating U.S. law. The scandal came to light in 1986, leading to investigations by Congress and a special prosecutor. Key figures, including Oliver North, faced legal consequences, although many convictions were later vacated. The affair raised significant questions about executive power and accountability in U.S. foreign policy.