Meese Exposes Iran-Contra: Illegal Arms Deal Revealed
Attorney General Edwin Meese held a press conference on November 25, 1986, revealing that profits from secret U.S. arms sales to Iran had been diverted to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua. The scheme violated the Boland Amendment, which explicitly prohibited U.S. military aid to the Contras. National Security Council staffer Oliver North had orchestrated the diversion with the knowledge of National Security Advisor John Poindexter. North was fired the same day. Congressional hearings in 1987 became a national spectacle, with North testifying in his Marine uniform and invoking patriotism. Fourteen administration officials were indicted. North and Poindexter were convicted but had their convictions overturned on appeal. President Reagan claimed he knew nothing about the diversion. An independent counsel's investigation concluded Reagan had 'created the conditions' for the scheme.
November 25, 1986
40 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Iran
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Nicaragua
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Contras
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Iran Contra Affair
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Edwin Meese
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Iran–Contra affair
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Edwin Meese
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Iran
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Contras
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Nicaragua
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United States National Security Council
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John Poindexter
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United States National Security Advisor
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United States Attorney General
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مهدي خزعلي
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مصطفى مصباح زادة
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