Iran-Iraq War Essay - 1610 Words

Iran-Iraq War The eight year Iran-Iraq War was, by the standards of international conflicts, a very long one. It lasted longer than both World War I and World War II. In this conflict, the two most powerful states in the Persian Gulf, Iran and Iraq, who were the world’s largest producers of petroleum, were locked in mortal combat and appeared intent on destroying each other. The war began when Iraq invaded Iran, simultaneously launching an invasion by air and land into Iranian territory on September 1980 and ended with a United Nations brokered ceasefire in 1988. The causes of the war are deeply rooted in the ideology and ambitions of the leaders of the countries to gain and maintain control over internal and regional politics, as well†¦show more content†¦Moreover, what had formerly been the Imperial Iranian military was greatly despoiled, with much of the officer corps fleeing the Islamic Revolution. Also radical Marxists were still battling the religious fundamentalists in part of the country. Because of all of the above factors, Iraq had a uniquely promising chance to strike a devastating blow at its eastern neighbor, establishing Saddam as the pre-eminent leader in the Persian Gulf region and perhaps so discrediting the new Iranian government as to bring about its ultimate downfall. Saddam also wanted to put an end to religious propaganda directed against Iraqs secular regime by the Islamic government of Iran, which had come to power in 1979 under Khomeini. Khomeini, and during the Iranian Revolution, and most Iranian Muslims belonged to the Shiite sect of Islam. Hussein feared that the propaganda would undermine the loyalty of Iraqi Shiites, who comprised about 60 percent of his countrys population. On March 1980, Saddam received a pretext to engage in war when an assassination attempt was made on Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, by Iranian-backed rebel group Al Dawaa, followed by the bombing on the funeral procession. Saddam blamed the Irani ans and attacked in September. Before declaring war Saddam, in a statement addressed to the Iraqi parliament, on 17 September, stated that TheShow MoreRelatedThe Outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War, An Outline826 Words   |  3 PagesIn the fall of 1980, one of the largest and most destructive conflicts to occur since the end of the second world war started between the states of Iran and Iraq. Lasting eight years, the war left approximately 1.5 million dead and around a million casualties with thousands of refugees fleeing both nations. †¢ Cost up to $1,000,000,000 monthly †¢ Total cost to date may exceed $300,000,000,000 †¢ (Swearingen, 1988) Using three levels of analysis - the individual, domestic and systemic - theRead Moreiran iraq war causes and consequences2030 Words   |  9 Pages Iran-Iraq conflict causes and consequences (1980-88) INTRODUCTION : This conflict began when Iraq invaded iran in 1980 followed by border disputes and Irq’s desire to become dominant Persian Gulf state and the Iranian revolution at that time .but they couldn’t get the control they only occupied some portion of iran and then repelled by iran .Despite calls for a ceasefire by the United Nations Security Council, hostilities continued until 20 August 1988. The war finally ended with ResolutionRead MoreThe Iraq And Iran War1499 Words   |  6 Pages The Iraq and Iran war in 1980 through 1988 started on September 22, 1980, which resulted in an 8 year war, 500,000 casualties, $600 billion debt accumulated, and many more factors. The Iraq and Iran war strained Iraq’s political, and social life. Also put Iraq’s economy into severe conditions. The 1980, 8 year war between Iraq and Iran was fueled by many factors including border disputes (geographical and economical), and Iraq’s new dictator Saddam Hussein (political). Saddam Hussein feared thatRead More Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) Essay653 Words   |  3 Pages Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) Hypothesis Probably the most logical explanation is that there has been a conflict that is decades old, that comes from, religious differences to territorial and power ambitions. This war is a war that is not going to stop until both countries solve their internal affairs, because the historical background that this two countries have is not an easy one. I think that the only way to fully achieve peace between these two countries is, for them to come to an agreement regardingRead MoreThe War Between Iraq And Iran1672 Words   |  7 PagesThe war between Iraq and Iran initiated by Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein in September 1980 provided no gains or benefits to either country, at the end of the war in July of 1988 after 8 long years. At the conclusion of many wars throughout history, at least one party resulted in gaining territory, wealth, power, and other profits. However, in reality it is understood that no one ever wins in war due to the adverse affects among innocent humanity; exemplified by the Iraq-Iran war. The initial conflictRead MoreThe Iraq Iran War And State Security1211 Words   |  5 PagesThe Iraq-Iran War and State Security With Iraq initiating the conflict, with its declaration of war on September 22, 1980 and the subsequent invasion of the Khuzestan province, they will be treated as the aggressor. Therefore the theoretical framework will revolve predominantly around Iraq. With this Posen’s components of the security dilemma will be used as the building blocks for state security’s explanation of the conflict, beginning with the indistinguishability of offense and defense. As previouslyRead MoreThe Iran Iraq War1566 Words   |  7 PagesThe Iran-Iraq lasted from September 1980 to August 1998, which made it the longest conventional war of the 20th century. The consequence of the war cost billions of dollars and millions of lives. The result of the war, although stalemate would be a critical factor that would shape the future of the Middle East. The historical deep-rooted hostile relationship that emanated from the ethnic Arab-Persian and religious Sunni- Shi’ite tensions between the two neighbouring countries contributed to the conditionsRead MoreIraq War Between Iran And Iraq1405 Words   |  6 PagesWhile both Iran and Iraq, the two most powerful states in the Persian Gulf, had boarder disputes dating back to 1501, Iraq has always had a long history of conflicts with its neighboring countries but none more conspicuously than Iran. Historians believe that the forty battles of the Iran- Iraq war were fought because of territorial and governmen t disputes. After eight long years, the Iran- Iraq war was adequately more than people had every imagined it to be. The bitter war devastated both countriesRead MoreThe Iran Iraq War Necessary1118 Words   |  5 Pagesheaded Iran’s way, from its neighboring Middle Eastern country Iraq. This war between the two bordering countries was nothing less than a deadly fight that did not benefit either side more than the other. Costing hundreds of thousands of lives and damages that to this day never be fixed. The question asked by many people still remains the same; was the Iran-Iraq war necessary? The war was arguably the longest and most conventional war in the twentieth century. Before shots were ever fired the twoRead More The Iran-Iraq War Essay3022 Words   |  13 PagesThe Iran-Iraq War While the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s may have permanently altered the course of progress in Iran and Iraq, the war also altered the resulting permanent involvement of the rest of the world in the middle-east. The rich and complicated history in Iraq has established numerous cultural and ethnic traditions that all play a part in where the country is today. The Iran-Iraq War brought into focus some of those traditions and how they conflicted, while also bringing Iraq and