Saddam Hussein planned a quick "whirlwind war" on Iran to intimidate them and gain more power and control with his regime. However, the Iraq-Iran war lasted almost 8 years. This "timeline" will list events that led up to the war, occurred during the war, and the consequences that followed.
1969 - Shah Muhammad Reza Rejects 1937 Treaty
A treaty was signed in 1937 to settle the territorial dispute over the Shatt al-Arab waterway between Iraq and Iran. The treaty stated the borders of the countries would be at the low-water mark of the Eastern bank. However, the Shah Muhammad Reza rejected this in 1969.
Khuzestan Territory Dispute
Khuzestan was a territory in Iran that was rich with oil. Majority of the population there was Arab with Iraqi connections. Saddam Hussein disliked that the wealthy area was on Iran's side. He claimed the area as his. He told the Kurds there to revolt against Shah Mohammad Reza. Iran responded by telling Kurds in northern Iraq to revolt against Saddam Hussein.
1975 - Algiers Agreement
The Algiers Agreement was signed by Saddam Hussein (Iraq) and Shah Mohammad Reza (Iran) in order to avoid full-scale war because of the territorial disputes over the Shatt al-Arab and Khuzestan. Along with the Agreement, both countries agreed to stop ties the Kurds in the other's country.
The Shatt al-Arab waterway connects to the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and leads out into the Persian Gulf. Along the river are the Iranian cities of Abadan and Khorramshahr and the Iraqi city of Basra. Having control of the waterway was important for setting borders, import/export trade (mostly oil), and strategic defense and offense.
1979 - Islamic Revolution in Iran
A revolution in Iran took place in attempt to overthrow the Pahlavi monarchy. Discontent with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his regime grew as he oppressed and silenced his people. Eventually, the Shah left Iran. The fall of the Shah left the economy in chaos. During this time, Iran had less power than Iraq. Iran no longer had a U.S. alliance.
Revolution in Iran
Iran was Pan-Islamic, whereas as Iraq had Arab nationalism. Pan-Islamism is focused on having all Muslims united under one Islamic state; this is seen in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Arab nationalism focused on identity; this is seen in Iraq as Saddam start the war purely out of rivalry.
1979 - Saddam Hussein becomes president of Iraq
Saddam led a Sunni-based Baathist regime as president of Iraq.
June 1979 - Khomeini Encourages Iraqi Shiites
Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran encourages Iraqis to overthrown their leader, Saddam Hussein, and his regime. This led to the assassination of 20 Baathist officials.
November 1979 - Iran Hostage Crisis
A group of Iranian students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. They had over 60 hostages, some of which they kept for 444 days. Their motive was that they did not want anymore U.S. ties or influence with Iran.
April 1980 - Attempted Assassination of Iraq's Foreign Minister
An Iranian-backed assassination attempt by grenade took place in central Baghdad against Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister.
September 1980 - Saddam denies Algiers Agreement
Before invading Iran, Saddam renounces the Algiers Agreement.
September 1980 - Saddam Hussein invaded Iran by air and land.
Saddam Hussein invades Iran after seeing the negative impact the Iranian Revolution had on Iran. The economy wasn't doing well, and the military wasn't as strong. He first took over Khuzestan.
Peshmerga side with Iran in hopes of securing parts of Iraqi Kurdistan; this helped Iran have a successful offense.
June 1982 - Iran Fights Back
Iran was able to push back Iraqi forces back across the border. Iraq offers a ceasefire, but Iran rejects it; Iran said they wouldn't stop until Saddam was overthrown.
Iraq had much more foreign aid and support than Iran.
Many tactics were used in the Iran-Iraq War.