1. Iran/Iraq War 1980- 1988 By Ethan Pace and Emily Rorris

2. Underlying Causes Iraq wanted to replace Iran as the dominant Persian Gulf State Both countries claimed that the Shatt al-Arab belonged to them Border disputes between the two countries Iraq saw Iran's revolution as a threat to their pan- Arabism Religious differences between the Sunni Muslim Iraqi government and the mainly Shiite Muslim Iraqi population and the Shiite religious government of Iran

3. Immediate Causes An assassination attempt was made against an Iraqi Foreign Minister in southern Iraq. Saddam blamed the attack on Iran, using it as a pretext for war. Iraq invaded Iran in September of 1980

4. Weapons Iraq frequently used chemical weapons against Iran o H-series blister and G-series nerve agents Mustard filled bombs Spray tanks from very low altitudes Consisted mainly of air attacks

5. Major Theatres Iran/Iraq border Khuzestan Shatt al-Arab

6. Battles September 20th, 1980: Iraq invaded Iran and immediately overtakes the Iranian border, cities, and territories Iran Regains Khorramshahr (May 1982):This is the key Iraqi defeat that compelled Saddam to retreat back inside the pre-war boundaries June 1982: Saddam orders a full retreat back to pre-war borders due to the demoralization of his troops July 1982: Failed Iran invasion of Basra. First Iran offensive attack into Iraq was a failure and extremely deadly 1983: Iranian offenses. Iran refused peace offerings and continued to invade along the border. Only one territory was gained, small islands in the Persian Gulf 1985-1988: Stalemate along the front. Iran made minor territory gains after starting offensive attacks in Iraq

7. Key Strategies Chemical warfare by Iraq Civilians targeted by both sides Oil tankers targeted by both sides to weaken them commercially Iran lacked the weaponry to support its ground troops Iraq lacked the manpower to contend with Iranian forces Human wave attacks

8. Peace Agreements/Treaty August, 1988: In July of 1988 Iran had been pushed out of Iraq while suffering attacks inside its borders as well. Iran agreed to a UN-established peace treaty which would be a return to pre-war conditions and borders. Iraq refused to accept peace terms while it was still invading Iran but in August they gave in to the peace terms as well.

9. Long Term Impact The only industries of both countries were badly weakened since oil rigs were target of bombing by both sides; their production capacity has never fully recovered Gave Iran a new sense of nationality Iraq had to take out loans ($80 billion) from Kuwait which eventually led to their invasion in 1990 which led to international contempt and the removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003

10. Sources http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/iran- iraq.htm http://www.worldology.com/Iraq/iran_iraq_war.htm http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_iraniraq.html