Iran-Iraq Conflict Explained on Maps

Summary

The Iran-Iraq relationship has been shaped by territorial, religious, and political tensions, notably over the Shatt al-Arab waterway, culminating in the devastating Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988. Despite a history of conflict, especially due to Iraq's invasion of Iran and the subsequent eight-year war, diplomatic relations have fluctuated, with moments of cooperation and opposition. In the 2000s, after Saddam Hussein's downfall, ties improved due to shared political interests. Despite recent cooperation, including military and energy agreements, challenges such as protests and regional instability continue to impact their relationship, leaving the future uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iran and Iraq share a nearly 1,450-kilometer border and a complex history shaped by territorial, religious, and political disputes.
• 😀 The Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) was one of the largest and longest conventional wars of the 20th century, ending in a stalemate.
• 😀 Disputes over the control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway played a major role in tensions between the two nations, vital for oil transportation and access to the Persian Gulf.
• 😀 Iraq and Iran's territorial disputes over the Shatt al-Arab began as early as the 1930s, with Iraq controlling most of the river despite Iran’s claims to sovereignty.
• 😀 Iran abrogated the 1937 Shatt al-Arab Treaty in 1969, claiming half of the river, and this led to increased military tensions and Iraq's eventual military buildup.
• 😀 The Algiers Agreement of 1975 temporarily resolved the dispute over the Shatt al-Arab, but Iraq later sought to reverse the deal after the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
• 😀 The 1979 Iranian Revolution dramatically shifted regional dynamics, with Iran's new Islamic Republic clashing with Iraq's Ba'athist government led by Saddam Hussein.
• 😀 Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in 1980, fueled by his fear of the spread of the Iranian Revolution, marked the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War.
• 😀 The war was brutal, with both sides suffering heavy casualties and Iraq using chemical weapons against Iranian troops and Kurdish civilians.
• 😀 After the war, relations between Iran and Iraq remained tense but improved in the 2000s, particularly after the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein, with Iran providing military support to Iraq against the Islamic State.

Q & A

What was the primary cause of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980?

The Iran-Iraq War of 1980 was primarily fueled by territorial, religious, and political disputes between the two nations, notably over control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

How did the Shatt al-Arab waterway become a point of contention between Iran and Iraq?

The Shatt al-Arab river, which forms the border between Iran and Iraq, was strategically important for both nations. Iran depended on it for oil transportation, while Iraq relied on it as its only access to the Persian Gulf.

What agreement was reached between Iran and Iraq in 1975 regarding the Shatt al-Arab waterway?

The 1975 Algiers Agreement recognized the co-sovereignty of Iran over the Shatt al-Arab, with both nations agreeing on the division of control over the river. Iran also agreed to stop supporting Kurdish insurgencies in Iraq.

Why did Saddam Hussein attack Iran in 1980 despite the previous agreement?

Saddam Hussein attacked Iran to reassert control over both sides of the Shatt al-Arab, reclaim territory, and expand Iraq's influence as the leading nation in the Middle East, particularly fearing the spread of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

What role did foreign powers play during the Iran-Iraq War?

Iraq received support from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Western nations, including the United States, while Iran's only significant allies were Syria and Libya. Iraq used chemical weapons, and Iran relied on its own resources and international backing to sustain its efforts.

How did the use of chemical weapons by Iraq impact international perception during the Iran-Iraq War?

The use of chemical weapons by Iraq against Iranian troops and Kurdish civilians in 1988 sparked international outrage and condemnation, adding to the war's notoriety for its devastating human toll.

What was the outcome of the Iran-Iraq War?

The war ended in 1988 with an official ceasefire, as both sides suffered immense casualties and economic losses. The conflict left the region devastated, with an estimated death toll of between 1 to 2 million people.

How did the relationship between Iran and Iraq evolve after the war?

After the war, Iran and Iraq re-established diplomatic ties in 1990. Relations improved further after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, with Iran becoming a key military and political ally to Iraq.

What significant event in 2008 helped improve relations between Iran and Iraq?

In 2008, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the first Iranian president to visit Iraq since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, signaling a thaw in relations and a shift towards closer cooperation between the two countries.

How has the rise of ISIS affected Iran-Iraq relations?

The rise of ISIS in the 2010s strengthened the military and political alliance between Iran and Iraq, as Iran provided significant military support to Iraq in its fight against ISIS, which helped Iran increase its influence in Iraq's Shiite-led government.