Final answer:
The Iran-Contra Affair was a scandal involving the sale of missiles to embargoed Iran to secure hostages' release and the illegal funding of the Contras in Nicaragua. It was controversial due to its violation of US law and the perceived encouragement of terrorist negotiations. High-ranking officials managed to avoid prosecution mainly due to pardons and the lack of concrete evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Iran-Contra Affair was a significant political scandal during the Reagan administration in the United States. It involved the covert sale of about 1,500 missiles to Iran, which was then under an arms embargo due to its war with Iraq. Despite the embargo and the tense US-Iran relations, the sale was made in hopes of securing the release of American hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Iran had influence over. The scandal further intensified when it was revealed that the excess proceeds from the missile sales were diverted to support the Contras in Nicaragua, a group opposing the Sandinista government. The US Congress had previously banned military aid to the Contras, making these actions a violation of US law and creating a constitutional crisis regarding presidential authority and congressional oversight.
This was controversial for several reasons. First, it contravened a Congressional ban on funding the Contras, and second, it undermined the public policy of the United States which prohibited arms sales to Iran. The Iran-Contra Affair also raised questions about terrorism negotiations and the possibility that it would encourage further hostage-taking by allowing arms deals to be used as leverage. While high-ranking officials, including President Reagan, faced investigation and criticism, they largely avoided prosecution due to legal complexities, pardons by President George H.W. Bush for some involved, and lack of concrete evidence directly implicating the President.
As for the UN resolutions and the US ambassador's defense, it raises ethical questions regarding moral high grounds and equivalent retaliations. The covert nature of the United States' actions did contribute to the perception of wrongdoing, as transparency is often associated with legitimacy in democratic societies. It is a matter of debate whether it is fair or productive to hold one nation to a higher standard than another, especially when both are engaged in acts that could be viewed as against international norms or laws.