Between the years 1983 and 1986, the United States was involved in a series of covert operations, collectively known as the Iran-Contra Affair. These operations were controversial at best, and blatantly illegal at worst. The Iran-Contra Affair (or the Iran Counter-Scandal) revolved around the issue of foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran and Nicaragua. In 1979, the revolution in Iran led to a complete change in the country's relationship with the United States. Previously an ally of the United States, Iran, under its new regime, had become resolutely anti-American. These changes caused a period of unrest that lasted until the mid-1980s between the United States and Iran. Stabilization of the situation in Iran was one of the key goals that motivated many authorities responsible for the Iran-Contra affair. In 1985, seven hostages were taken by a terrorist group in Lebanon. This terrorist group had links to Iran. So when Iran asked the United States to sell it weapons, President Reagan saw it as a potential way to secure the return of the hostages. President Reagan wanted them to return safely and thus hoped to restore good relations between the United States and Iran. Many members of Congress were strongly opposed to the idea. Entering into this arms deal is a direct violation of several laws, including policies prohibiting the sale of weapons to entities on terrorist lists or to terrorist-friendly countries (Iran was on these lists). ). Additionally, in negotiating with Iran, the Reagan administration would be dealing with known “terrorists,” something Reagan was openly opposed to. Nevertheless, the Reagan administration acceded to Iran's request, hastily...... middle of paper ......Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=38274.Sara Chimene-Weiss et al., “Iran: Background,” Understanding the Iran-Contra Affairs, accessed May 22, 2014, http:// www.brown.edu/Research/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/i-background.php.Jeffrey David Simon, The Terrorist Trap: The American Experience with Terrorism, 2nd ed. (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2001), 188-89. David J. Scheffer, “US Law and the Iran-Contra Affair,” The American Journal of International Law 81, no. 3 (July 1987): 698, accessed May 20, 2014, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2202027. Stefan A. Riesenfeld, “The Powers of Congress and the President in International Relations: Revisited,” California Law Review 75, no. 1 (January 1987): 405-14, accessed May 21, 2014, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3480586.