What is the Iran Contra controversy?

The Contras were rightist rebel elements fighting the leftist or Communist-leaning regime in Nicaragua. Human rights groups complained at length about their brutality. The Reagan administration’s unwillingness to drop its support for the Contras became one of the driving forces in the Iran-Contra Scandal.  In the Reagan administration’s view, the central force behind these anti- American terrorist activities was the Iranian government of Ayatollah Khomeini. Raegan’s personal obsession with the fate of the American hostages being held by Khomeini forces in Lebanon led those around him to explore alternative means for bringing about their release. One proposal put forward was to aid the political stature of Iranian moderates by lifting the arms embargo against Iran and selling it weapons. The Reagan Doctrine – Reagan administration’s support for the Contras was part of a larger strategy known as the Reagan Doctrine. It was designed to move the US beyond a policy of containment to one where support would also be given to groups trying to overthrow the ruling communist government. The Reagan doctrine was very much evident in U.S foreign policy toward Afghanistan.

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