You’d Think They’d Know Better, But These Politicians Committed The Wildest Crimes Of The 20th Century

The Iran-Contra Affair Was Just Messy

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The Iran-Contra affair started as an attempt to free seven American hostages held in Lebanon. Senior administration officials attempted to facilitate the sale of missiles to Iran by way of Israel. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Noth of the National Security Council modified the plan in 1985. They arranged it so that some of the proceeds from the weapon sales would fund the Contras, a dangerous Nicaraguan rebel group. This violated the Boland Amendment, in which Congress prohibited further government funding to the group.

The full extent of Regan’s knowledge of the details behind getting the hostages back came into question. He appeared on television to say, “what began as a strategic opening to Iran deteriorated, in its implementation, into trading arms for hostages.”