Iran - Iraq War: 1980 - 1988

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

Iranian Revolution
-Islamic fundamentalist movement begins (Shah overthrown by Ayatollah Khomeini) and threatens Saddam Hussein who feels that the movement will spread to Iraq

-Khomeini calls for Iran to overthrow Hussein as part of religious movement

Iraq wants superiority in Persian Gulf

• dispute over Shatt al-Arab (waterway)
• conflicts over oil
• religious diff: Iran = Shi’a while Iraq = Sunni

Question 2

Practices

Answer 2

Attrition and chemical warfare

• Khomeini’s human wave: high death toll
• Hussein’s chemical usage against Iranians/Kurds
• bombing/attacking civilians
• “Holy War” (Islamic fundamentalists)
• guerrilla warfare

Question 3

Iraq invaded Iran…

Answer 3

Sep. 22 1980

Question 4

International support

Answer 4

• Iraq supported by both sides
• US also supported Iran (not Khomeini bc prefer Shah) but sell weapons to Iran by smuggling through Nicaragua (IRAN CONTRA AFFAIR)

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

Nobody wins
Extensive bloodshed/damage to environment
Khomeini soon dies, relations bw US/Iran still peaceful
Bad oil production

HUSSEIN:

• remains in power
• continues to suppress Kurds
• invades Kuwait w/ US weapons
• begins nuclear program

Question 6

END

Answer 6

‘88: clear that Iran losing

UN declared ceasefire, uses Peacekeeper