The Iran - Iraq War

Changes in Iran

During the 1970s Shah Reza Pahlavi, a pro-American dictator, ruled Iran with the support of his secret police. He was opposed by Islamic fundamentalists, led by an exiled Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who wanted the Muslim clergy to have a say in how the country should be run. In 1978, while living in Paris, Khomeini called for the people to rise up and overthrow the corrupt Shah. Hostility to the Shah exploded, and he was forced to flee the country in January 1979.

In February, Khomeini returned to Iran and declared an Islamic republic based on the very strict Koranic law. The country was "cleansed" of western ways and brought in line with the harsh traditional laws of the Koran. A more disturbing aspect of Khomeini's rule was the demand that an Islamic revolution must be spread worldwide. As a result of this goal to spread Islam, terrorist activities were targeted at surrounding Muslim nations to join the revolution.

President Saddam Hussein

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein became concerned about the change of government in Iran. The large Muslim population within his own country might rise up against him. Hussein was also interested in taking control of disputed land between the two nations. In September 1980, while the government of Iran was unstable, Hussein decided to attack and take the disputed territory.

The initial Iraqi offensive was very successful, and its military forces occupied large parts of Iran. The United States even sent military aid to the Iraqis to help fight Khomeini who had overthrown the Shah an ally to the Americans. The Ayatollah responded by calling the Islamic faithful of Iran to join in the battle to save the country. Thousands of poorly trained and equipped young men formed religious militia called "Basij." These units were moved quickly to the front where they launched themselves as human waves at the Iraqi invaders.

The fighting was vicious, and utilized all types of weapons, including chemical warfare. The conflict slowly fizzled out as both sides became exhausted during the eight years of fighting. The war had drained the financial resources of both countries, which they hoped to replace with oil revenues. Iraq had suffered heavily and had run up an $80 billion debt with other nations.

Iraq - Kuwait

With pressure to pay for the war, Hussein decided to look to his wealthy neighbor Kuwait, as a source of income. An ultimatum was sent to Kuwait stating that it must give a gift of $30 billion to Iraq. Furthermore, a $10 billion annual payment must be made to Iraq to assist in the rebuilding of the nation. The Kuwaitis refused the ultimatum and on 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded the small nation of Kuwait.