Lt. Col. Oliver North makes a point during his presentation on behalf of the Nicaraguan Contras at the Iran-Contra hearings. Getty Images
Lt. Col. Oliver North makes a point during his presentation on behalf of the Nicaraguan Contras at the Iran-Contra hearings. Getty Images

1986 - The Iran-Contra affair

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Updated 22 April 2025
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1986 - The Iran-Contra affair

1986 - The Iran-Contra affair
  • The scandal serves as stark reminder of how unchecked power, secrecy and political ambition can quickly undermine democracy

RIYADH: The 1986 Iran-Contra affair remains one of the most controversial episodes in modern US history, revealing a complex web of clandestine operations, legal violations and political intrigue. 

The scandal, which unfolded during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, revolved around covert sales of arms to Iran and the illegal diversion of the profits to fund right-wing Contra rebels in Nicaragua. It challenged the very principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law in democratic governance. 

The backdrop to the events was shaped by Cold War tensions and volatile Middle Eastern geopolitics. On May 17, 1985, Graham Fuller, the CIA’s national intelligence officer for the Near East and South Asia, wrote a memorandum to CIA Director William Casey on the options for US policy toward Iran. 

“Events are moving largely against our interests, and we have few palatable alternatives. The US has almost no cards to play; the USSR has many,” Fuller wrote. 

To provide the US with “some leverage in the race for influence in Tehran,” Fuller suggested Washington should “remove all restrictions on sales — including military — to Iran.” 

How we wrote it




Arab News reported Iran’s arrest and expulsion of US national security adviser Robert McFarlane who arrived on a “secret diplomatic mission.”

In Nicaragua, meanwhile, the Sandinista government, which in 1979 overthrew a US-backed political system, aligned itself with socialist policies and the Soviet Union. This development alarmed the Reagan administration, which supported the Contra rebels, a group accused of widespread human rights abuses. 

Simultaneously, the US faced complex challenges in the Middle East. Iran was engaged in a protracted war with Iraq (1980-1988), and Washington sought to limit Soviet influence in the region while securing the release of US hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon. 

Despite its public stance of refusal to negotiate with terrorists, and its own arms embargo on Tehran, the Reagan administration saw an opportunity to leverage arms sales as a means of influence. It wanted to secure the release of US hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon, and attempt to open a channel for dialogue with more-moderate elements in Iran. 

The Iran-Contra scandal involved two distinct yet interconnected operations. Firstly, senior US officials facilitated the secret sale of arms to Iran, ostensibly as a gesture of goodwill to moderate factions within the Iranian government and to secure the release of US hostages. This violated an arms embargo imposed by Washington on Iran, and contradicted Reagan’s public statements condemning terrorism. 

Secondly, profits from these arms sales were diverted to fund the Contras in Nicaragua. This contravened the Boland Amendment, a series of laws passed by Congress between 1982 and 1984 that explicitly prohibited US military assistance for the group. 

Key Dates

  • 1

    US and Israeli intelligence organizations collude in Operation Tipped Kettle, which involves the transfer to Contra rebels in Nicaragua of weapons seized from the PLO.

    Timeline Image 1983

  • 2

    With US agreement, Israel sends first of several shipments of American-made armaments to Iran in a bid to secure release of US hostages in Lebanon.

  • 3

    Lt. Col. Oliver North of the US National Security Council proposes direct sale of armaments to Iran, with the profits to go to the Contras in Nicaragua.

    Timeline Image Dec. 4, 1985

  • 4

    Lebanese weekly Ash-Shiraa exposes the illegal Iran arms deal.

    Timeline Image Nov. 3, 1986

  • 5

    North convicted on three charges relating to the Iran-Contra affair. In September 1991, all charges are dismissed on appeal.

    Timeline Image May 4, 1989

  • 6

    President George H.W. Bush pardons the former secretary of defense, Caspar Weinberger, and five other defendants facing trial over the Iran-Contra affair, saying it is “time for the country to move on.”

The plan was orchestrated by a small group of officials within the National Security Council, including Lt. Col. Oliver North, with the knowledge and support of senior figures such as National Security Advisor John Poindexter.  

At the same time, the CIA and the Department of Defense conducted Operation Tipped Kettle, which involved secret negotiations with Israel on the transfer of armaments captured from the Palestine Liberation Organization in Lebanon to the CIA and, ultimately, to the Contras. 

In May 1983, Israel duly handed over several hundred tonnes of weapons, valued at $10 million. This was repeated in 1984. 

In 1985, Israel began shipping US weapons to Iran, in an attempt to curry favor with Tehran and pave the way for the release of American hostages, with the approval of Poindexter’s predecessor as Reagan’s national security adviser, Robert McFarlane. 

On Nov. 2, 1986, within days of the delivery of 500 antitank missiles to Iran, US hostage David Jacobsen was released by his captors in Beirut. North anticipated the release of other hostages would follow but this did not happen. 

In response to media inquiries, White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan publicly acknowledged, for the first time, the ongoing negotiations with Iran. 

The Iran-Contra affair fully came to light in late 1986, after Lebanese publication Ash-Shiraa revealed details of the arms deals with Iran. On Nov. 3, 1986, it published an account of a secret visit to Tehran by McFarlane in May 1986. Subsequent investigations by journalists and Congressional committees uncovered the broader plan, which raised serious questions about executive overreach, the subversion of Congressional authority, and the ethical conduct of government officials. It sparked outrage among lawmakers and the public. 

Televised hearings in 1987 captivated the country, with key figures, including North, testifying about the operation. While some viewed North as a patriot simply following orders, others considered him emblematic of an administration willing to circumvent the law to achieve its goals. 




Protestors gather outside the venue of an Oliver North speech. Getty Images

The hearings also revealed a culture of secrecy and deception within the Reagan administration, damaging the president’s credibility and eroding public trust in state institutions. 

The fallout from the Iran-Contra scandal included several criminal prosecutions. North, Poindexter and other officials were charged with crimes such as obstruction of justice, conspiracy and lying to Congress. 

The affair was also a major blow to the Reagan administration’s credibility. It raised questions about the extent of presidential knowledge and oversight, as Reagan maintained he was unaware of the transfer of funds to the Contras. Politically, the scandal tarnished his legacy, though his approval ratings remained high until the end of his presidency in 1989. 

The affair remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked executive power and the ethical dilemmas inherent in foreign policy. While it did not lead to lasting reforms in intelligence oversight, it did underscore the need for greater vigilance to prevent abuses of power, and serves as a case study in how the pursuit even of well-meaning objectives can result in unintended consequences if legal and ethical boundaries are crossed. 

  • Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulami is head of the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah). 


Pakistan launches nationwide polio campaign to immunize over 45 million children

Pakistan launches nationwide polio campaign to immunize over 45 million children
Updated 25 sec ago
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Pakistan launches nationwide polio campaign to immunize over 45 million children

Pakistan launches nationwide polio campaign to immunize over 45 million children
  • Pakistan, Afghanistan are only countries where polio remains an endemic
  • Health officials have confirmed 10 polio cases in Pakistan so far this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a third nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign of this year that aims to inoculate 45 million children under five, the country’s polio program said on Sunday.

The campaign was formally inaugurated by Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, who administered oral polio vaccine and Vitamin A drops to children under five at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Islamabad.

Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with the completion of the routine immunization schedule for all children are essential to ensure strong immunity against the disease.

Pakistan has confirmed 10 cases so far this year, according to the polio program. Environmental surveillance has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites, across 68 districts, signaling continued circulation.

“Polio eradication is not just a health goal — it is a national imperative and a matter of immense pride for our country,” Farooq said.

“This third campaign of 2025 marks a decisive milestone in our 2-4-6 roadmap. These back-to-back rounds from September 2024 to May 2025 represent our most strategic opportunity to close immunity gaps and halt virus circulation before the high transmission season begins.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.

The polio program described the weeklong campaign as a critical intervention in Pakistan’s “final push” to interrupt poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by end of 2025.

Farooq acknowledged persistent challenges in areas such as Karachi, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Quetta, but noted encouraging progress in reaching previously underserved populations.

Around 400,000 frontline workers, including 225,000 woman vaccinators, are powering the campaign, according to the polio program.

Speaking at the event, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil, who just concluded his tenure, expressed confidence in the program’s direction.

“Pakistan is closer than ever to making history. With continued political will, community engagement, and coordinated action by all partners, I believe this country can soon achieve a polio-free future,” he said.

Pakistan’s polio program began in 1994, but efforts to eradicate the virus have been repeatedly undermined by vaccine misinformation and resistance from some religious hard-liners who claim that immunization is a foreign plot to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western espionage.

Militant groups have also frequently targeted polio vaccination teams and the security personnel assigned to protect them, often resulting in deadly attacks.

The polio program has urged public to cooperate with vaccination teams and report any missed children via the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 or the WhatsApp Helpline at 0346-7776546.


Timberwolves set team playoff record in rout of Thunder

Timberwolves set team playoff record in rout of Thunder
Updated 17 min 30 sec ago
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Timberwolves set team playoff record in rout of Thunder

Timberwolves set team playoff record in rout of Thunder
  • The Timberwolves set a franchise record for most points scored in a playoff game
  • The Timberwolves, desperate to avoid falling behind 3-0 in the series, wasted little time taking command

Anthony Edwards scored 30 points on 12-for-17 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves raced to a 143-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

Julius Randle added 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting for Minnesota, which pulled within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 points off the bench, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in 12 points off the bench.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 points despite missing nine of 13 shots from the field for Oklahoma City. Ajay Mitchell scored 14 points off the bench, and Jalen Williams contributed 13 points.

Game 4 will be on Monday in Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves set a franchise record for most points scored in a playoff game.

Minnesota shot 57.3 percent (55 of 96) from the field and 50 percent (20 of 40) from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City shot 40.7 percent (35 of 86) overall and 31.8 percent (14 of 44) from 3-point range.

The Timberwolves, who were desperate to avoid falling behind 3-0 in the series, wasted little time taking command. They jumped out to a 34-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, which included 3-pointers by Alexander-Walker and Edwards in the final two minutes.

The Thunder trailed 13-9 when Minnesota went on a 12-0 run to seize a 25-9 advantage with 2:41 remaining in the first quarter. Edwards started the run with a 3-pointer, and he followed 15 seconds later with a driving dunk.

By halftime, the Timberwolves increased their advantage to 72-41. Randle made a pair of free throws to put Minnesota on top by 33 points with 43.5 seconds left in the half, and Williams finished the first-half scoring with a 3-pointer for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City failed to cut into its deficit in the third quarter. The Thunder were outscored 35-29 during that session to fall behind 107-70.

Another 12-0 run by Minnesota turned a 74-52 lead into an 86-52 advantage midway through the third quarter. Jaden McDaniels started the run with a 3-pointer.

Both teams turned to reserve players in the final minutes with the score well out of reach.


Eco-friendly and safer walkways expanded to 33% in Makkah Hajj sites 

Eco-friendly and safer walkways expanded to 33% in Makkah Hajj sites 
Updated 43 min 45 sec ago
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Eco-friendly and safer walkways expanded to 33% in Makkah Hajj sites 

Eco-friendly and safer walkways expanded to 33% in Makkah Hajj sites 
  • Roads made of flexible rubber asphalt expanded to 33 percent this year
  • Walking on regular roads linked to 38 percent of foot and ankle injuries during Hajj

MAKKAH: Muslims performing Hajj this year will be seeing better quality and safer walkways in Makkah, thanks to the increased use of a new road construction solution.

Saudi authorities have announced the expansion of roads made of flexible rubber asphalt by 33 percent this year, with work on the road extending from Namirah Mosque to Al-Mashaer train station in Arafat, raising the total area to 16,000 square meters.

"Instead of accumulating used tires, which are a major source of air pollution when burned, this technology recycles them and transforms them into a flexible asphalt layer that absorbs impact and provides comfortable walking paths," the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The report quoted the Kingdom's Roads General Authority (RGA) as saying tests conducted on asphalt surfaces and regular sidewalks "cause strong reactions on pilgrims’ ankles and feet, especially the elderly, who constitute 53% of pilgrims."

About 38 percent of foot and ankle injuries that are dealt with by healthcare facilities during Hajj have been attributed to walking on regular walkways.

As explained, smart surfaces that come with the use of flexible rubber asphalt help absorb shock and relieve pressure on the human body’s joints, especially the ankles and feet.  

The RGA experiment is in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030’s commitment to sustainable development, smart cities, and enhancing the safety and comfort of all residents and visitors.

Saudi officials expect the number of pilgrims in this year's Hajj to surpass last year's figure, which the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) counted at 1.83 million. Of that number, 1.61 million arrived from outside the Kingdom through various entry points, while 221,854 were internal pilgrims, including citizens and expatriates.

Hajj 2025 is expected to start on June 4, subject to confirmation by Saudi Arabia’s official moon-sighting authorities.

As of May 21, 2025, a total of 755,344 pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom from abroad through all air, land, and sea entry points, according to the General Directorate of Passports, also known as the Jawazath.

Indonesian pilgrims are anticipated to lead the biggest delegation again for Hajj 2025. Last year, a total of 221,000 Indonesian pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom for Hajj, followed by Pakistan with 180,000. India came third at 175,025, Bangladesh was fourth at 127,198, and Nigeria completed the top 5 with 95,000 pilgrims.


Champions to be crowned as Lahore, Quetta face off in PSL final today

Champions to be crowned as Lahore, Quetta face off in PSL final today
Updated 25 May 2025
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Champions to be crowned as Lahore, Quetta face off in PSL final today

Champions to be crowned as Lahore, Quetta face off in PSL final today
  • The showdown begins this evening at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium with major prize money on the line
  • Shaheen Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars aim for a third PSL title and a historic win on home ground

KARACHI: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will face 2019 winners Quetta Gladiators in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) today, Sunday, with both sides aiming to make history in the tenth edition of the country’s premier T20 tournament.

The final will be played under lights at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium, with the match set to begin at 7:30 p.m. local time. A reserve day has been scheduled for Monday in case of rain.

The winner will walk away with $500,000 in prize money, while the runners-up will receive $200,000.

Either the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Qalandars will become only the second team in PSL history to win three titles, or the Saud Shakeel-led Gladiators will lift their second trophy after a six-year gap.

Qalandars fought their way into the final through the playoffs, knocking out Karachi Kings and Islamabad United, while Quetta topped the points table and beat Islamabad in the qualifier to book their spot.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be leading Quetta Gladiators to an HBL PSL final and we will do our best to lift the trophy,” Shakeel said. “Qaddafi Stadium really has been a lucky venue for us where we have won five out of our six games and will look to continue the winning momentum.”

Afridi said Lahore were aiming for a title hat trick on home turf.

“We are buzzing to feature in our third HBL PSL final in the last four editions and our aim is to complete the treble at our home ground,” he said.

Lahore, who finished fourth in the group stage, will take confidence from their previous outing against Quetta, where they secured a commanding 79-run win before their second encounter was washed out.

Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Naeem have led the charge with the bat for Qalandars, while Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Rishad Hossain have spearheaded the bowling attack.

Quetta, meanwhile, have enjoyed a dramatic turnaround after finishing last in 2023.

Their success this season has been fueled by consistent performances from Hasan Nawaz, Rilee Rossouw and a bowling unit featuring Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Amir.

Both captains promised a highly competitive final to close out what has been a landmark 34-match edition of the HBL PSL.


Bryson DeChambeau’s wild ride: LIV Golf star gets taste of speed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Bryson DeChambeau’s wild ride: LIV Golf star gets taste of speed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Updated 25 May 2025
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Bryson DeChambeau’s wild ride: LIV Golf star gets taste of speed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Bryson DeChambeau’s wild ride: LIV Golf star gets taste of speed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
  • Majority of golf fans know of his highly publicized exodus to the LIV tour and his tremendous success in the majors, including the US Open, where he will be the defending champion at Oakmont in a few weeks
  • But millions of mainstream sports fans, especially in younger demographics, know him just as well — perhaps even better — from his YouTube channel, which boasts nearly 2 million followers

INDIANAPOLIS: Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau once hit a golf ball 221 mph with his driver.

Exactly as fast as some of the drivers will be going in the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.

“It would be really cool,” DeChambeau mused Saturday, sitting on a perch that overlooks the front stretch at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, “to hit a ball down the straightaway, see if you could land it in a car going by you.”

Sounds like an interesting challenge.

Then again, DeChambeau is all about the challenges these days.

Sure, the majority of golf fans know of his highly publicized exodus to the LIV tour and his tremendous success in the majors, including the US Open, where he will be the defending champion at Oakmont in a few weeks.

But millions of mainstream sports fans, especially in younger demographics, know him just as well — perhaps even better — from his YouTube channel, which boasts nearly 2 million followers. There, DeChambeau takes on a myriad of challenges: trying to break 50 with partners ranging from fellow LIV star Sergio Garcia to President Donald Trump, attempting to set scoring records at random public courses that he’s never even seen, even playing matches against some top junior players.

The overwhelming success of the channel, coupled with an infectious personality that has been on full display everywhere from the Masters to the PGA Championship last week, has allowed DeChambeau to transcend the sport of golf.

“I saw what Dude Perfect was doing, and then Mr. Beast, and they grew the channels like crazy, and encapsulated a massive audience, and I was like, ‘Man, I’m a sports player. I’m a professional. Like, why can’t I do that?’” DeChambeau said. “So I took it upon myself — I found the right team, got started, and five years later, here we are.”

Right in the middle of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, often referred to as the “Racing Capital of the World.”

DeChambeau was there in part to film a behind-the-scenes documentary for LIV, which has a tournament in August just north of Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills. But he also was taking in the scene on the eve of the biggest single-day sporting event in the world, one that is expected to draw a sellout crowd of 350,000 fans on Sunday.

DeChambeau spent time with Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin. He launched tee shots with Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood off the Turn 2 terrace onto Brickyard Crossing, the golf course with four holes inside the track. And he climbed into a fire suit for a two-seater ride around the 2.5-mile oval at speeds approaching 180 mph.

“Going around the track was actually insane,” DeChambeau said. “I went off and I mean, it was the craziest. Now I understand racing. Yeah, I get it, like that feeling — a rush. It’s unlike anything you can experience elsewhere. It’s a rollercoaster, but way faster and lower to the ground, and I hated rollercoasters growing up. The G-forces are just incredible.”

Others taking part in his session Saturday included WWE star Titus O’Neil, members of the rock band Creed, Grammy nominee Omar Apollo, Mary and Romain Bonnet from “Selling Sunset” and “Shadowhunters” actress Katherine McNamara.

These are the kinds of things DeChambeau might not have done early in his career. But his YouTube channel, and his success in all avenues of social media, has made him more comfortable in situations that might have pushed his boundaries.

“I’ve kind of gotten out of my box more,” he said. “This is another one where I was like, ‘You just got to go.’ I wasn’t afraid at all. It was just, ‘What am I going to feel like?’ The unknown. And I’m like, ‘I’m not in control of this at all.’

“And then you get to that first corner and you’re like, ‘My goodness, am I in for a treat.’ And feeling that the whole way around, and looking up through the helmet. I can’t imagine what it’s like on race day with 32 others out there.”

DeChambeau’s schedule will keep him from sticking around to see it in person. But he plans to be watching on TV on Sunday.

“Kirkwood, I mean, he’s awesome. I really like him,” DeChambeau said. “And he’s a decent golfer, too, as well.”