What was the purpose of the iran-contra scandal? A. To influence the Iranians B. To overthrow the iranian government C. To overthrow the contras D. To influence congress

History · College · Wed Jan 13 2021

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The Iran-Contra scandal, which unfolded in the 1980s, involved covert activities undertaken by officials in the United States government. The primary purposes were related to foreign policy initiatives in Nicaragua and Iran. A. To influence the Iranians

The scandal had two main aspects:

  1. Iran:
  • Officials within the Reagan administration sought to covertly sell arms to Iran, which was engaged in a war with Iraq. The goal was to secure the release of American hostages held by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon. This aspect aimed to influence Iranian authorities.

2.Contras in Nicaragua:

  • Funds generated from the arms sales to Iran were used to support the Contras, a rebel group in Nicaragua. The Contras were fighting against the Sandinista government, which the Reagan administration opposed. This aspect involved efforts to support the Contras in their fight against the Nicaraguan government.

The Iran-Contra scandal became public in 1986 and raised significant ethical and legal concerns. The sale of arms to Iran contradicted official U.S. policy, and the diversion of funds to the Contras raised questions about the legality of such actions. The scandal led to investigations, hearings, and legal proceedings, including the convictions of some individuals involved.