The Iran – Iraq War

1. The Iran – Iraq War 1980 – 1988

2. The Beginning • Rivalry between in Iraq and Iran began with both states seeking hegemony in the area • The first clash between the two came in 1969, after a decade of or unrest, when Iran aided Kurdish guerrillas in Iraq, and Iraq supported Arab dissidents in the southern Iranian province of Khuzistan • 1970s – skirmishes on both sides, but only limited fighting • The two primary issues causing conflict were: • Control of the Shatt-al-Arab (the waterway that carries the waters of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers to the Persian Gulf • Command of oil resources in the region

3. Saddam Hussein’s Iraq • Hussein was determined to reassert Iraq’s position in the Persian Gulf • Hussein identified Iran and Saudi Arabia as his chief adversaries • Since both Iran and Saudi Arabia were supported by the USA, Iraq turned to the USSR for support • In 1972, before even becoming leader of Iraq, he had concluded a treaty with the USSR for Soviet aid, particularly in arms • Hussein also concluded an agreement with France for a nuclear reactor and research facility, and with Italy for naval and air force training • During this time Iraq increased its oil production, becoming the world’s second largest exporter (98% of its export revenue came from oil) • This revenue financed the army, technical training, industrial expansion, education programs, and agricultural development

4. Iran’s Islamic Republic • Iran’s population was made up of peoples of different languages and cultures • Almost all were followers of the Shi’ite branch of Muslims • In the middle of the 20th century Iran’s monarch claimed the title of “shah” (emperor), but the land had long since lost all ties with the great Persian emperors of antiquity • After WWII, Iran’s ruler, Reza Shah Pahlevi, chose to cooperate with the Western powers • He continued the policy of granting the monopoly on Iran’s oil production to the British Petroleum corporation • He placed his country firmly on the side of the West in the Cold War years

5. Nationalist opposition to the shah’s pro-Western policy emerged in Iran after WWII • A coalition of political groups called the National Front, headed by dynamic political leader Dr. Mohammad Mossadeq, promised political and economic independence from the West • Iran’s religious leaders proclaimed their backing for the movement, which they hoped would protect their “Islamic nation” from the West and modernism

6. Mossadeq’sprogram • He wanted neutrality for Iran in the conflict between East and West and to nationalize British Petroleum’s oil properties • With strong backing from voters among Iran’s lower classes, Mossadeq’s coalition won parliamentary elections in 1951 • He became Prime Minister of Iran • One of his first acts was to order the nationalization of the country’s oil wells and refineries • The worsening political struggle within Iran led Mossadeq to denounce the rule of the Shah • Violent demonstrations in support of his government forced the shah to flee the country • Without any coherent plan, Mossadeq had set in motion forces leading the country toward political revolution

7. USA viewed this as a Cold War Conflict • In 1953, the Eisenhower administration extended the policy of containment to include opposition to anti-Western regimes in strategic areas around the USSR • The presence of communists in Mossadeq’s political coalition was proof to the US government that his government was a pawn of the USSR • The US CIA sent covert aid to the Shah’s supporters in the country • Mossadeq was unable to hold together his National Front coalition • Popular demonstrations against Mossadeq and opposition to his rule by army leaders, secretly encouraged and financed by US agents, forced the Prime Minister to resign in mid 1953 • This US backed political revolt placed the shah back on his throne • His dependence on the West was greater than ever

8. The Late 1970s • All segments of Iranian society objected to some aspect of the Shah’s rule and were ready to support his removal • In 1979, the Shah’s government was overthrown and Ayatollah Khomeini seized control. • Khomeini intended to establish an Islamic republic, which would impose a new political order based on Islamic principles • He set out to rid Iran of Western and secular influence

9. Reasons Iraq went war to against Iran • A desire to overthrow Khomeini, whom Hussein despised. • A desire to establish the Iraqi government as the dominant power in the Persian Gulf • Iraq clearly initiated the war, but many authorities concede that Iran had been guilty of persistent provocation by trying to stir up trouble among Iraq’s minority groups. • Weakness of Iran after the fall of the Shah, and Iraqi uneasiness about the consequences of Khomeini’s Shi’a fanaticism, were contributing factors as well • Iraq had reluctantly signed the 1975 agreement that provided for shared ownership of the Shatt-al-Arab • Iraq wanted to nullify the treaty and assume sole ownership of that critical waterway

10. Why Hussein expected an easy victory • Iran was still suffering from purges within its military leadership • Low morale • Lack of material due to American economic boycott • He did not expect the determined resistance that materialized and quickly bogged the armies down in a stalemate

11. The Events of the War 1980 – 1986 • In September 1980, Iraq launched an attack on Iran that resulted in massive destruction of Iran’s oil facilities and Iraqi occupation of much of southwestern Iran. • In September 1981, Iran launched a successful counter-offensive in which troops fought to recapture the land initially occupied by Iraq • In 1984, Iran invaded Iraqi territory • In February 1986, Iran captured the Fao Peninsula that connects the Persian Gulf to the Shatt-al-Arab, effectively eliminating Iraq’s access to the Gulf

12. Events 1987 – 88 • Between Feb – April 1987, Iran launched a concentrated assault on the southern port city of Basra (the second largest city in Iraq) • Despite the deployment of 200,000 men along a 3km-wide front, the Iranians were unable to seize the city • Concentrated Iraqi fire resulted in 50,000 to 70,000 Iranian casualties • By 1988, it seemed clear that Iran was losing both the war and the battle to influence world opinion. • The secretary General of the UN announced that a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq War would begin on August 20, 1988 • 350 observer force would be sent to the area to monitor the truce

13. Results of War • The war devastated both countries and led to the largest United States naval buildup since WWII • Half a million lives were lost • Iran seemed to have suffered the most serious devastation • Much of Iran’s industry and oil production were crippled by Iraqi air attacks • By 1988 , Iran was earning only $6 billion per year from the export of oil, though it needed $10 billion per year to arms, food, and other necessities. • The war cost Hussein half a million war casualties and $80 billion in foreign debt • Iraq owed $40 billion to Western Europe alone for arms • Iraq also owed money to rich Gulf creditors • The armies withdrew to the original borders • Hussein had squandered Iraq’s resources on a futile war of aggression that left his state deeply in debt to other Arab states

14. Two Aspects of the Iran – Iraq War • The use of chemical weapons and missiles as decisive weaponry on both sides gave a new dimension to conflict in the region • Hussein launched a program to develop nuclear weapons, hoping to make Iraq the first nuclear power among Islamic nations