America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Mastering U.S. Foreign Policy!

The significant illegal action taken during the Iran-Contra scandal involved the secret sale of arms to Iran, which was intended to secure the release of American hostages held by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon. The proceeds from these arms sales were then diverted to fund the Contra rebels in Nicaragua, despite Congress having prohibited such funding through the Boland Amendment. This dual-layer of deception — dealing with a country that was subject to an arms embargo and funding a rebel group against legislative approval — encapsulated the essence of the scandal and raised serious constitutional and ethical questions about executive overreach and accountability.

The actions taken during this period underscored the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, where the administration sought to navigate its strategic interests despite congressional limitations. This highlighted tension between the executive and legislative branches regarding foreign intervention, making this aspect of the Iran-Contra affair particularly notable.