| Iran-Iraq War | |||||||||
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 Iranian soldier with gas mask in the battlefield |
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Iran China Soviet Union Libya
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.svg/22px-Flag_of_Iraq_(1963-1991).svg.png){kind=small} Iraq United States Navy[4] People's Mujahedin of Iran Soldiers and volunteers from different Arab countries. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the Stalemate is a situation in Chess where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal moves The term status quo ante bellum comes from Latin meaning literally as things were before the war. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK (est 1975 (یەکیتیا نیشتمانیا کوردستان is a Kurdish Political party in Iraqi Kurdistan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The People's Mujahedin of Iran ( PMOI, also MEK, MKO) ( Persian: سازمان مجاهدين خلق ايران sāzmān-e mojāhedin-e khalq-e The araB gene Promoter is a bacterial promoter activated by e L-arabinose binding [1]
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| Commanders | |||||||||
| Ruhollah Khomeini Abolhassan Banisadr Ali Khamenei Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Mostafa Chamran † |
Saddam Hussein Ali Hassan al-Majid Massoud Rajavi |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 305,000 soldiers unknown number of (approximately 400,000 to 700,000) Pasdaran and Basij militia 900 tanks |
200,000 in 1980 800,000 by 1988 5,000 tanks 4,000 armored vehicles 7,330 artillery pieces 500+ aircraft, 100+ helicopters[5] |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 213255 soldiers/militia/civilians killed (Official Figures) Economic Loss= more than US$500 billion[6] | Est. The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (Hîzbî Dêmokiratî Kurdistanî Êran is a Kurdish opposition group in Iranian Kurdistan which seeks the attainment of Kurdish Komalah ( Komele in Kurdish) is a Marxist Kurdish opposition group Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 Abol-hassan Banisadr ( Persian: ابوالحسن بنیصدر born 22 March 1933) was the first President of Iran, following the 1979 (fa علی حسینی خامنهای born 17 July 1939 also known as Ali Khamenei, is an Iranian Azeri politician and cleric Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ( Persian:اکبر هاشمی رفسنجانی Akbar Hāshemī Rafsanjānī) Hashemi Bahramani Mostafa Chamran Savei (1932 &ndash 21 June 1981) was an Iranian Defense minister and member of parliament, as well as commander of paramilitary Killed in action ( KIA or K I A) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces by other Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 Ali Hassan Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (علي حسن عبد المجيد التكريتي, born 1941 is a former Ba'athist Iraqi Defense Minister, Massoud Rajavi (مسعود رجوی is the president of National Council of Resistance of Iran and the leader of People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI also known as the MEK The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution ( Sepáh e Pásdárán e Enqeláb e Eslámi) is an ideologically motivated branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran's The Basij (also Bassij or Baseej, or Baseej-e Mostaz'afin or "The Mobilized Oppressed"" or بسيج is a volunteer based Iranian 250,000-500,000 soldiers/militia/civilians killed or wounded Economic Loss= more than US$500 billion | ||||||||
The Iran-Iraq War, also known as the Imposed War (جنگ تحمیلی, Jang-e-tahmīlī) and Holy Defense (دفاع مقدس, Defā'-e-moghaddas) in Iran, and Saddām's Qādisiyyah (قادسيّة صدّام, Qādisiyyat Ṣaddām) in Iraq, was a war between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran lasting from September 1980 to August 1988. The Battle of al-Qādisiyyah ( transliteration, Ma'rakat al-Qādisiyyah;; alternate spellings Qadisiyya Qadisiyyah Kadisiya was the decisive engagement War is an international relations Dispute, characterized by organized Violence between National Military units For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. It was commonly referred to as the "Gulf War" or Persian Gulf War until the Iraq-Kuwait conflict of (1990–91), and for a while thereafter as the First Persian Gulf War. The Iraq-Kuwait conflict, while originally known as the Second Persian Gulf War, later became known simply as the Persian Gulf War.
The war began when Iraq invaded Iran on 22 September 1980 following a long history of border disputes and fears of Shia insurgency among Iraq's long suppressed Shia majority influenced by Iran's Islamic revolution. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) A territorial dispute is a disagreement over the possession/control of land between two or more States or over the possession or control of land by one state after it has conquered Although Iraq hoped to take advantage of revolutionary chaos in Iran and attacked without formal warning, they made only limited progress into Iran and within several months were repelled by the Iranians who regained virtually all lost territory by June 1982. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) For the next six years Iran was on the offensive. [7] Despite several calls for a ceasefire by the United Nations Security Council, hostilities continued until 20 August 1988. Iraq related resolutions Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The last prisoners of war were exchanged in 2003. [7][8]
The war is noted for being very similar to World War I. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Tactics used included trench warfare, manned machine-gun posts, bayonet charges, use of barbed wire across trenches and on no-mans land, human wave attacks and Iraq's extensive use of chemical weapons (such as mustard gas) against Iranian troops and civilians as well as Iraqi Kurds. Trench warfare is a form of warfare where both combatants have fortified positions and fighting lines are static Barbed wire, also known as barb wire (and frequently in dialect form spelled bob or bobbed) is a type of fencing Wire constructed No man's land is a term for land that is not occupied or more specifically land that is under dispute between countries or areas that will not occupy it because of fear or uncertainty Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of Chemical substances to kill injure or incapacitate an enemy. The sulfur mustards, of which mustard gas ( Bis (2-chloroethyl sulfide is a member are a class of related Cytotoxic, Vesicant Chemical A civilian under International humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her Country 's Armed forces.
Background
Early history
Although the Iran-Iraq war from 1980–1988 was a war for dominance of the Persian Gulf region, the roots of the war go back many centuries. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the There has been rivalry between kingdoms of Mesopotamia (the Tigris-Euphrates valley, modern Iraq) and the rugged highlands to the East (Persia or modern Iran) since the beginning of recorded history in Sumer. Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Sumer ( Sumerian: sux-Latn [[Ki (earth ki]]-[[EN (cuneiform en]]-'''ĝir15''', Akkadian: Šumeru; possibly Biblical Shinar
Of strategic importance was the question of sovereignty over the resource-rich province of Khuzestan. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. Before the Ottoman empire 1299-1922, Iraq was part of Persia. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish The rising power of the Ottomans put an end to this when Suleyman I annexed Arabian Iraq. Suleiman I (سليمان Sulaymān, Süleyman almost always Kanuni Sultan Süleyman) ( 6 November 1494 5/ 6 September 1566 The Turkish Sultan and general, Murad IV recaptured Baghdad from the Safavids of Persia in 1638 via the Treaty of Zuhab (Peace of Qasr-e-Shirin). Sultan (سلطان is an Islamic title with several historical meanings Murad IV ( Ottoman Turkish: مراد رابع Murād-i rābi‘) ( June 16, 1612 February 9, 1640 The Safavids ( صفوی) were an Iranian ref>Helen Chapin Metz The Treaty of Zohab (or the Treaty of Qasr-e-Shirin) was an accord signed between Safavid Persia and the Ottoman Empire on May 17, The border disputes between Persia and the Ottomans never ended. Between 1555 and 1918, Persia and the Ottoman empire signed no fewer than 18 treaties delineating their disputed borders. Today's border comes from the Treaty of Zuhab. Modern Iraq was created from the British Mandate of Mesopotamia, formed after the final collapse of the Ottoman empire following the First World War, thereby inheriting all the disputes with Persia. The British Mandate of Mesopotamia ( الانتداب البريطاني على العراق) was a League of Nations Class A mandate World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All
Saddam Hussein biographers have described Saddam's anti-Iranianism, developed in his formative years living with his virulently anti-Iranian uncle Khairallah Talfah as a factor in his later foreign policy, including the Iran-Iraq War. Anti-Iranian sentiment (ایرانی ستیزی also ایران ستیزی refers to feelings of hostility hatred or prejudice towards Iran, its citizens or Iranian Khairallah Talfah ( Arabic خير الله طلفاح) was an Iraqi Ba'ath Party official and the maternal uncle and father-in-law of Saddam [9][10] Talfah was the author of Three Whom God Should Not Have Created: Persians, Jews, and Flies, a pamphlet Saddam's government was later to republish. "Three Whom God Should Not Have Created Persians Jews and Flies" is the name of an Iraqi government pamphlet widely published during the era of Saddam Hussein [11]
Post-colonial era
On 18 December 1959, the new leader of Iraq Abdul Karim Qassim, declared: "We do not wish to refer to the history of Arab tribes residing in Al-Ahwaz and Mohammareh [Khorramshahr]. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Abd al-Karim Qasim (عبد الكريم قاسم) (1914 – February 9 1963 was a nationalist Iraqi Military officer who seized power in a 1958 The Ottomans handed over Mohammareh, which was part of Iraqi territory, to Iran. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish " The Iraqi regime's dissatisfaction with Iran's possession of the oil-rich Khuzestan province was not limited to rhetorical statements; Iraq began supporting secessionist movements in Khuzestan, and even raised the issue of its territorial claims at the next meeting of the Arab League, without success. Petroleum ( L petroleum, from Greek πετρέλαιον, lit Secession (derived from the Latin term secessio is the act of withdrawing from an organization union or especially a political entity The Arab League ( الجامعة العربية) officially called the League of Arab States ( جامعة الدول العربية Iraq showed reluctance in fulfilling existing agreements with Iran—especially after the death of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and the rise of the Ba'ath Party, when Iraq decided to take on the role of "leader of the Arab world". This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Gamal Abdel Nasser (جمال عبد الناصر Gamāl ‘Abd an-Nāṣir; - January 15 1918 September 28 1970) was the second President The Arab Socialist Ba'th Party (also spelled Baath or Ba'ath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي was founded in Damascus
In 1969, the deputy prime minister of Iraq stated: "Iraq's dispute with Iran is in connection with Arabistan (Khuzestan) which is part of Iraq's soil and was annexed to Iran during foreign rule. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. " Soon Iraqi radio stations began exclusively broadcasting into "Arabistan", encouraging Arabs living in Iran and even Balūchīs to revolt against the Shah of Iran's government. This article is about radio broadcasting for other uses see Radio (disambiguation. The Baloch ( بلوچ; alternative transliterations Baluch Balouch Bloach Balooch Balush Balosh Baloosh Baloush) are an Iranian people inhabiting Basra TV stations even began showing Iran's Khuzestan province as part of Iraq's new province called Nasiriyyah, renaming all Iranian cities with Arabic names. Basra ( BGN: AlBasrah also called Basorah Abillah and Uruk or IRAQ The name that British colony has adopted for Basra Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language
In 1971, Iraq broke diplomatic relations with Iran after claiming sovereignty rights over the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf, following the withdrawal of the British. This is a geographical article For the Palestinian leader see Said al-Muragha, for the Sahaba, see Abu-Musa al-Asha'ari. Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb ( Tonb-e Bozorg and Tonb-e Kuchak; Arabic: ar طنب الكبرى وطنب الصغرى, Tunb The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the [12] Iraq then expropriated the properties of 70,000 Iranians and expelled them from its territory, after complaining to the Arab League and the UN without success.
One of the factors contributing to hostility between the two powers was a dispute over full control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway at the head of the Persian Gulf, an important channel for the oil exports of both countries.
In addition to Iraq's fomenting of separatism in Iran's Khuzestan and Iranian Balochistan provinces, both countries encouraged separatist activities by Kurdish nationalists in the other country. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. Sistān o Balūchestān ( Persian: استان سیستان و بلوچستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. During the first few years of the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war, the Iraqi government tried to accommodate the Kurds in order to focus on the war against Iran. In 1984, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan agreed to cooperate with Baghdad, but the Kurdish Democratic Party remained opposed [13]. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK (est 1975 (یەکیتیا نیشتمانیا کوردستان is a Kurdish Political party in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP (Partîya Demokrata Kurdistan (PDK was founded by Mustafa Barzani, Kurdish nationalist who fought numerous revolts against
In 1974 Iraq attacked Iranian forces, with heavy casualties on both sides. In 1975, United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had sanctioned Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to attack Iraq over the waterway, then under Iraqi control; soon afterward, both nations signed the Algiers Accord, where Iraq made territorial concessions — including the waterway — in exchange for normalized relations. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Secretary of State (commonly abbreviated as SecState) is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with Foreign affairs Henry Alfred Kissinger (born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923) is a German -born American bureaucrat diplomat and 1973 The 1975 Algiers Agreement (commonly known as the Algiers Accord) was a Treaty that was meant to settle disputes over the lands between Iraq and Iran
The relationship between Iranian and Iraqi governments briefly improved in 1978, when Iranian agents in Iraq discovered a pro-Soviet coup d'etat against the Iraqi government. When informed of this plot, Saddam Hussein, who was Vice President at the time, ordered the execution of dozens of his army officers, and to return the favor, expelled Ruhollah Khomeini, an exiled leader of clerical opposition to the Shah, from Iraq. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989
After the Islamic Revolution
- See also: Islamic Revolution, Iranian Embassy Siege, and Modern usage of al-Qādisiyyah
The Pan-Islamism and revolutionary Shia Islamism of Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic Republic of Iran; and the Arab nationalism of Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime were central to the conflict. Pan-Islamism ( اتّحاد الاسلام) is a Political movement advocating the unity of Muslims under one Islamic state or a Caliphate Islamism ( Islam + ism; Arabic: al-'islāmiyya) a set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only
Saddam Hussein was keenly interested in elevating Iraq to a strong regional power. A successful invasion of Iran would enlarge Iraq's oil reserves and make Iraq the dominant power in the Persian Gulf region.
On several occasions Saddam alluded to the Islamic conquest of Iran in propagating his position against Iran. The Battle of al-Qādisiyyah ( transliteration, Ma'rakat al-Qādisiyyah;; alternate spellings Qadisiyya Qadisiyyah Kadisiya was the decisive engagement between The Islamic conquest of Persia (633–656 led to the end of the Sassanid Empire and the eventual extirpation of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia For example, on 2 April 1980, half a year before the outbreak of the war, in a visit by Saddam to al-Mustansiriyyah University in Baghdad, drawing parallels with the 7th century defeat of Persia in the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah, he announced:
In your name, brothers, and on behalf of the Iraqis and Arabs everywhere we tell those Persian cowards and dwarfs who try to avenge Al-Qadisiyah that the spirit of Al-Qadisiyah as well as the blood and honor of the people of Al-Qadisiyah who carried the message on their spearheads are greater than their attempts. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) The Battle of al-Qādisiyyah ( transliteration, Ma'rakat al-Qādisiyyah;; alternate spellings Qadisiyya Qadisiyyah Kadisiya was the decisive engagement The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia "[14]
In turn the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini believed Muslims, particularly the Shias in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, whom he saw as oppressed, could and should follow the Iranian example, rise up against their governments to join a united Islamic republic. Ayatollah ( Persian: آيتالله, âyato-llâh, from Arabic: آية الله, āyatu 'llāh, meaning 'the sign of Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi The State of Kuwait ( دولة الكويت IPA [dawlatt̪ alkuwajt̪]) is a sovereign Arab Emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed [15] Khomeini and Iran's Islamic revolutionaries despised Saddam's secularist, Arab nationalist Ba'athist regime in particular as un-Islamic and "a puppet of Satan,"[16] and called on Iraqis to overthrow Saddam and his regime. At the same time severe officer purges (including several executions ordered by Sadegh Khalkhali, the post-revolution sharia ruler), and spare parts shortages for Iran's American-made equipment, had crippled Iran's once mighty military. Ayatollah Sadeq Givi aka Sadegh Khalkhali ( Persian) ( July 27, 1926 – November 26, 2003) was a hardline Sharia ( Arabic: ar شريعة) is the body of Islamic Religious law. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (نيروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ايران include the IRIA (ارتش جمهوری اسلامی The bulk of the Iranian military was made up of poorly armed, though committed, militias. The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary Citizens to provide defense emergency law enforcement or Paramilitary service Iran had minimal defenses in the Shatt al-Arab river.
Iraq started the war believing that Sunnis of Iran would join the opposing forces, failing to fully appreciate the power of Iranian nationalism over historically clan-centered differences, and the power of Iranian government control of the press. Few of the ethnic Arabs of Khuzestan or Sunnis of Iran collaborated with Iraqis. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran.
Iran's embassy in London was attacked by Iraqi-sponsored terrorist forces a few months prior to the war in 1980, in what came to be known as the Iranian Embassy Siege. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The Iranian Embassy Siege of 1980 was a Siege of the Iranian embassy in London after it had been taken over by Iranian Arab Separatists [17]
The UN Secretary General report dated 9 December 1991 (S/23273) explicitly cites "Iraq's aggression against Iran" in starting the war and breaching International security and peace. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the Secretariat, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. [18]
Timeline
September 1980: Iraqi invasion
The two nations severed diplomatic relations in June 1980, and sporadic border clashes increased. On September 17, in a statement addressed to the Iraqi parliament, Saddam Hussein stated that "The frequent and blatant Iranian violations of Iraqi sovereignty. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec . . have rendered the 1975 Algiers Agreement null and void. The 1975 Algiers Agreement (commonly known as the Algiers Accord) was a Treaty that was meant to settle disputes over the lands between Iraq and Iran . . This river. . . must have it's Iraqi-Arab identity restored as it was throughout history in name and in reality with all the disposal rights emanating from full sovereignty over the river. "[19] Iraq launched a full-scale invasion of Iran on September 22, 1980. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Iraq's pretext was an alleged assassination attempt on Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz in southern Iraq, which Saddam Hussein blamed on "Iranian agents", in one of his speeches. A minister for foreign affairs, or foreign minister, is a governmental cabinet minister who helps form the Foreign policy of a sovereign nation Mikhail Yuhanna (ميخائيل يوحنا Mīḫāʾīl Yūḥannā) later and more popularly known as Tariq Aziz or Tareq Aziz, (طارق عزيز
"Relations deteriorated rapidly until in March 1980, Iran unilaterally downgraded its diplomatic ties to the charged'affaires level, withdrew its ambassador, and demanded that Iraq do the same. The tension increased in April following the attempted assassination of Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and, three days later, the bombing of a funeral procession being held to bury students who had died in an earlier attack. Mikhail Yuhanna (ميخائيل يوحنا Mīḫāʾīl Yūḥannā) later and more popularly known as Tariq Aziz or Tareq Aziz, (طارق عزيز Iraq blamed Iran, and in September, attacked. [20]
"On September 22, 1980, Iraq announced that her planes had hit ten Iranian airfields and that her troops had penetrated into Iranian territory on three major fronts. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) A full scale war had been launched. Its purpose, according to Saddam Hussein, was to blunt the edge of Khomeini's . . . movement and to thwart his attempt to export his Islamic revolution to Iraq and the Persian Gulf states. "[20] Abrogating the Algiers Agreement, the main Iraqi thrust was in the Khuzistan province.
The initial aim of Iraq was to capture the Shatt al-Arab waterway. To this end, Saddam told his generals to capture the Iranian province of Khuzestan, and prepare significant defenses along the front-line. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. Saddam was hoping to show the world the limited nature of his invasion by demonstrating that he was only interested in the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
As part of this plan, Saddam planned to launch a number of offensives across the length and breadth of the Iran-Iraqi border. Iraq had mobilized 10 divisions for the invasion, while Iran countered with only 8 regular army divisions and one brigade. Of these divisions, only four of those were deployed to the border. Iran's newly instated Islamic regime had little trust in the regular army, believing that they were a threat to the revolutionary regime. Consequently, the Iranian government attempted to boost the capabilities of militia groups, chiefly the Pasdaran and the Basij. The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution ( Sepáh e Pásdárán e Enqeláb e Eslámi) is an ideologically motivated branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran's The Basij (also Bassij or Baseej, or Baseej-e Mostaz'afin or "The Mobilized Oppressed"" or بسيج is a volunteer based Iranian
The objectives of Iraq's invasion of Iran were:
- Control over the Shatt al-Arab waterway
- Acquisition of the three islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, on behalf of the UAE. This is a geographical article For the Palestinian leader see Said al-Muragha, for the Sahaba, see Abu-Musa al-Asha'ari. Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb ( Tonb-e Bozorg and Tonb-e Kuchak; Arabic: ar طنب الكبرى وطنب الصغرى, Tunb
- Annexation of Khuzestan to Iraq
- Overthrow of the revolutionary regime in Tehran
The surprise offensive advanced quickly against the still disorganized Iranian forces, advancing on a wide front into Iranian territory along the Mehran-Khorramabad axis in central Iran and towards Ahvaz in the oil-rich southern province of Khuzestan. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. Blitzkrieg (German for "lightning war" is a popular name for an Offensive operational-level Military doctrine which involves an initial The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (نيروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ايران include the IRIA (ارتش جمهوری اسلامی Khorramabad ( Luri: Khurrmoaa, also Khorram Abad, Persian:خرم آباد Khorram Abād) is the capital of Lorestan, The city of Ahvaz or Ahwaz (اهواز ahvāz or الأحواز is the capital of the Iranian province of Khūzestān. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran.
The invasion stalls
The Iraqi invasion soon encountered unexpected resistance, however, and around March 1981 it stalled. A preemptive strike executed by the Iraqi Air Force on the first day of the war successfully destroyed parts of Iran's airbase infrastructure, but failed to destroy a significant number of aircraft. The Iraqi Air Force or IQAF (Arabic Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al Iraqiya القوة الجوية العراقية is the military branch in Iraq responsible The IRaF was only able to strike in depth with a few MiG-23BN, Tu-22 and Su-20 aircraft, ineffective in a country as large as Iran. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout When three MiG-23BN's flew over Tehran, they attacked its airport but damaged only a few aircraft. [21] Over the next day dozens of Iranian F-4s attacked Iraqi targets, and in a few days the IRIAF gained air superiority over IQAF, allowing them to conduct ground attack missions with fighter-bombers and helicopters. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF ( is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces. The Iraqi Air Force or IQAF (Arabic Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al Iraqiya القوة الجوية العراقية is the military branch in Iraq responsible
Also, rather than turning against the Ayatollah's government as exiles had promised, the people of Iran rallied around their country and mounted a stiff resistance. An estimated 200,000 additional troops arrived at the front by November, many of them "ideologically committed" volunteers. [5] The Iraqis soon found the Iranian military was not nearly as depleted as they had thought.
For about a year after the Iraqi offensive stalled in March 1981 there was little change in the front, but in mid-March 1982 Iran took the offensive and the Iraqi military was forced to retreat. By June 1982, an Iranian counter-offensive had recovered the areas lost to Iraq earlier in the war. An especially significant battle of this counter-offensive in the Khuzestan province was the liberation of Khorramshahr from the Iraqis on May 24, 1982. The Liberation of Khorramshahr was the Iranian recapture of the port city of Khorramshahr from the Iraqis on May 24 1982 during the Iran–Iraq War Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar)
Iraq retreats but the war continues
Saddam Hussein, realizing that he had no realistic hope of remaining in Iran, ordered his troops to withdraw to the international border between Iran and Iraq. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. He believed that his battered army would only be able to fight knowing that it was fighting for the homeland, and that they could rely upon the static defenses which had been built.
He announced that, for humanitarian reasons, he was withdrawing his army from Iran in order to help Lebanon, which had been invaded by Israel on 6 June 1982. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) He asked the Iranians to consider the plight of the Lebanese, but there is some doubt whether Saddam's feelings were truly for the safety of Lebanon or for his own country.
A Saudi Arabia-backed plan to end the war agreed to by Iraq included $70 billion in war reparations to be paid by Arabian states of the Persian Gulf on behalf of Iraq, and complete the Iraqi evacuation from Iranian territory - an offer called by some critics of Iranian government as "extraordinarily favorable to Iran. "[22] Iran rejected Iraq's offer, demanding the removal of the Saddam Hussein regime, the repatriation of 100,000 Shi'ites expelled from Iraq before the war, and $150 billion in war reparations.
It is unlikely that anyone in Iran seriously expected that Iraq would accept these terms; and only offered them as a way of getting Saddam to refuse peace, thus making him continue to look like the aggressor. In fact, many within the Iranian government were demanding that the war be expanded into Iraq. On 21 June, Khomeini hinted that the expulsion of Iraqi troops would not be followed by a cessation of Iranian attacks, but by an invasion of Iraq. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 The following day, the Iranian Chief-of-Staff Shirazi said that the war would continue "until Saddam Hussein is overthrown so that we can pray at the Shi'ite holy city of Karbala and Najaf. Karbala ( BGN: Al-Karbalā’; also spelled Karbala al-Muqaddasah) is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad at Najaf ( BGN: An Najaf) is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. " This matched a comment made by Khomeini on the issue of a truce with Iraq: "There are no conditions. The only condition is that the regime in Baghdad must fall and must be replaced by an Islamic Republic. "[23]
Iranian offensive, blunders, and hardening of Iraqi resolve
This statement was not long in being fulfilled. On 13 July, the Iranians crossed the border, in force, aiming towards the city of Basra, the second most important city in Iraq. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Basra ( BGN: AlBasrah also called Basorah Abillah and Uruk or IRAQ The name that British colony has adopted for Basra
However, in this offensive, the Iranians encountered an Iraqi enemy which had entrenched itself in formidable defenses. Unlike the hastily improvised defenses that the Iraqis had manned in Iran during the 1980-1981 occupation of the conquered territories, the border defenses were, by necessity, well developed even before the war; and the Iraqis were able to utilize a highly-developed network of bunkers and artillery fire-bases. Saddam had also more than doubled the size of the Iraqi army from 1981's 200,000 soldiers (12 divisions and 3 independent brigades) to 1985's 500,000 (23 divisions and nine brigades).
The efforts of Saddam bore fruit. Iran had been using combined-arms operations to great effect when it was attacking the Iraqi troops in its country, and had launched the iconic human-wave attacks with great support from artillery, aircraft, and tanks. However, the increasingly strained relationship between the army and the Revolutionary Guards, meant that the Iranians were now launching human-wave assaults, with no support from other branches of the military. The superior defenses of the Iraqis meant that tens of thousands of Iranian soldiers were lost in most operations after 1982, and the Iraqi defenses would continue to hold in most sectors.
In the Basra offensive, or Operation Ramadan five human-wave attacks were met with withering fire from the Iraqis. A phase of the Iran-Iraq War, Operation Ramadan was launched by Iran in July 1982 near Basra. The boy-soldiers of the Basij were particularly hard-hit, especially since they were ordered to run into minefields, in order to clear the way for the Pasdaran brigades behind them. The Iranians were also hard-hit by the employment of gas by the Iraqis.
1983-1985: Iraq battered, but not beaten
After the failure of their 1982 summer offensives, Iran believed that a major effort along the entire breadth of the front would yield the victory that they desired. Iranian numerical superiority might have achieved a break-through if they had attacked across all parts of the front at the same time, but they still lacked the organization for that type of assault. Although some degree of co-operation between the Pasdaran and the regular army had been achieved - meaning the Iranian militias could now rely upon some support - it was not enough.
During the course of 1983, the Iranians launched five major assaults along the front. None meet with substantial success. Khomeini's position on a truce remained unchanged.
Saddam had hoped that mounting casualties and the lack of progress would force the Iranians to accept peace, but the Khomeini government again re-iterated their demands for the overthrow of the Ba'ath regime in early 1984. Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 Saddam realized that he would need to adopt a more aggressive posture to bring the Iranians to the bargaining table. He declared that eleven Iranian cities would come under attack unless Iran halted their acts of aggression by 7 February 1984. Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar)
As an answer to this ultimatum, the Iranians launched an attack against Iraqi forces along the northern sector of the front line. Although a minor attack, Saddam stuck to his pledge and ordered aerial and missile attacks against the eleven cities that he had designated. The bombardment ceased on 22 February. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Iran soon retaliated against urban centers, and these exchanges become known as the first "war of the cities". There would be five throughout the course of the war.
The attacks on the Iranian cities did not destroy the Iranian government's resolve to fight. On 15 February, the Iranians launched a major attack against the central section of the front where the Second Iraqi Army Corps was deployed. Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor 250,000 Iranians faced 250,000 Iraqis. Of the 250,000 Iranians committed, 190,000 of those were Pasdaran and Basij soldiers, with only 60,000 regular troops engaged in the operation. The Basij (also Bassij or Baseej, or Baseej-e Mostaz'afin or "The Mobilized Oppressed"" or بسيج is a volunteer based Iranian The offensive did fall under army control, however, and the regular army did plan it.
From 15 to 22 February, in Operation Dawn 5, and 22 to 24 February, in Operation Dawn 6, the Iranians attempted to capture the vital town of Kut al-Amara and to cut the key highway linking Baghdad and Basra. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Begin 1984 Iran launched Operation Dawn V, also known as Operation Dawn 5 or Operatoin Valfajr-5 ( Persian) Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Operation Dawn 6 ( Operatoin Valfajr-6 in Persian) was a military operation conducted by the forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran against the armed forces Capture of this road would have made it extremely difficult for the Iraqis to supply and co-ordinate the defenses, but the Iranian forces only came within 15 miles (24 km) of the highway.
However, Operation Khaibar met with much greater success. Operation Kheibar was an Iranian offensive in the Iran-Iraq War. Involving a number of thrusts towards the key Iraqi city of Basra, the operation started on the 24 February and lasted until 19 March. Basra ( BGN: AlBasrah also called Basorah Abillah and Uruk or IRAQ The name that British colony has adopted for Basra Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. The Iraqi defenses, under continuous strain since 15 February, seemed close to breaking conclusively. Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor The Iraqis successfully stabilized the front but not before the Iranians captured part of the Majnun Islands. Despite a heavy Iraqi counterattack coupled with the use of mustard gas and sarin nerve gas, the Iranians held their gains and would continue to hold them almost until the end of the war. The sulfur mustards, of which mustard gas ( Bis (2-chloroethyl sulfide is a member are a class of related Cytotoxic, Vesicant Chemical Sarin, also known by its NATO designation of GB, is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a Nerve agent. Nerve agents (also being referred to as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature are a class of Phosphorus -containing organic chemicals [5]
January 1985 - February 1986: Abortive offensives by Iran and Iraq
With his armed forces now benefiting from the influx of material and financial support from Western powers such as the United States of America and France, Saddam went on the offensive on 28 January 1985, for the first time since late 1980. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) This offensive, however, did not produce any significant gains, and the Iranians responded in kind with their own offensive directed against Basra, codenamed Operation Badr, on 11 March 1985. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) By this time, the failure of the unsupported human wave attacks during 1984 meant that Iran was trying to develop a better working relationship between the army and the Pasdaran. The Iranian government also worked on molding the Pasdaran units into a much more conventional fighting force. The attack did succeed in capturing a part of the Baghdad-Basra highway that had proven elusive during Operation Dawn 5 and Operation Dawn 6. Begin 1984 Iran launched Operation Dawn V, also known as Operation Dawn 5 or Operatoin Valfajr-5 ( Persian) Operation Dawn 6 ( Operatoin Valfajr-6 in Persian) was a military operation conducted by the forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran against the armed forces Saddam responded to this strategic emergency by launching chemical attacks against the Iranian positions along the highway and by initiating the second 'war of the cities' with a massive air and missile campaign against twenty Iranian towns, including Tehran. Tehran (or Teheran) ( Persian: تهران Tehrān) is the capital and largest City of Iran, and the administrative center of
The Tanker War and U. S. support for Iraq
The Tanker War started when Iraq attacked Iranian tankers and the oil terminal at Kharg island in 1984. Kharg Island ( is a continental island in the Persian Gulf belonging to Iran. Iran struck back by attacking tankers carrying Iraqi oil from Kuwait and then any tanker of the Gulf states supporting Iraq. The air and small boat attacks did very little damage to Gulf state economies and Iran just moved its shipping port to Larak Island in the strait of Hormuz. Larak Island (also Lark Island) is an island off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf which has been one of Iran's major oil export point since 1987 Navigation Ships moving through the Strait follow a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS which separates inbound from outbound traffic to reduce the risk of collision [24]
In 1982 with Iranian success on the battlefield, the U. S. made its backing of Iraq more pronounced, supplying it with intelligence, economic aid, normalizing relations with the government (broken during the 1967 Six-Day War), and also supplying weapons. Background Suez Crisis aftermath The Suez Crisis of 1956 represented a military defeat but a political victory for Egypt [25] President Ronald Reagan decided that the United States "could not afford to allow Iraq to lose the war to Iran", and that the United States "would do whatever was necessary to prevent Iraq from losing the war with Iran. "[26][27] President Reagan formalized this policy by issuing a National Security Decision Directive ("NSDD") to this effect in June, 1982.
Attacks on shipping
Lloyd's of London, a British insurance market, estimated that the Tanker War damaged 546 commercial vessels and killed about 430 civilian mariners. For the film see Lloyd's of London (film. Lloyd's of London is a British Insurance market Insurance, in Law and Economics, is a form of Risk management primarily used to hedge against the Risk of a contingent loss Sao Paulo Stock Exchangejpg|thumb| Virtual market arena where buyer and seller are not present and trade via intemediates and electronical information The largest portion of the attacks were directed by Iran against Kuwaiti vessels, and on November 1, 1986, Kuwait formally petitioned foreign powers to protect its shipping. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) The Soviet Union agreed to charter tankers starting in 1987, and the United States offered to provide protection for tankers flying the U.S. flag on March 7, 1987 (Operation Earnest Will and Operation Prime Chance). The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 A flag of convenience (FOC vessel or ship is one where the nationality of the owner is different from the country of registration Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Operation Earnest Will ( 24 July 1987 - 26 September 1988) was the U Operation Prime Chance (August 1987-June 1989 was a United States Special Operations Command operation intended to protect U [28] Under international law, an attack on such ships would be treated as an attack on the United States, allowing the U. International law is the term commonly used for referring to the system of implicit and explicit agreements that bind together nation-states in adherence to recognized values and standards S. Navy to retaliate. This support would protect neutral ships headed to Iraqi ports, effectively guaranteeing Iraq's revenue stream for the duration of the war.
Iraqi attack on US warship
On May 17 1987, an Iraqi plane attacked the USS Stark (FFG 31), a Perry class frigate, killing 37 and injuring 21. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Hanzo missed identifiershiptablefatestatus --> Missile attack Stark was deployed to the Middle East Force in 1984 and 1987 Ships The ships were designed by Maine shipyard Bath Iron Works in partnership with New York-based naval architects Gibbs & Cox. For the bird see Frigatebird. A frigate /ˈfrɪgɪt/ is a warship [29][30]
US military actions toward Iran
However, U. S. attention was focused on isolating Iran as well as freedom of navigation, criticizing Iran's mining of international waters, and sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 598, which passed unanimously on July 20, under which it skirmished with Iranian forces. The United States ' Freedom of Navigation program challenges territorial claims on the world's oceans and airspace that are considered excessive by the United States using diplomatic Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold During the Operation Nimble Archer in October 1987, the U. Operation Nimble Archer was the October 19 1987 attack on two Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf by United States Navy forces S. attacked Iranian oil platforms in retaliation for an Iranian attack on the U. S. -flagged Kuwaiti tanker Sea Isle City. [28]
On April 14, 1988, the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts was badly damaged by an Iranian mine, without suffering any casualties. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Commissioning and namesake The frigate was named for Samuel B U. S. forces responded with Operation Praying Mantis on April 18, the United States Navy's largest engagement of surface warships since World War II. Operation Praying Mantis was an April 18, 1988 attack by US naval forces in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Two Iranian oil platforms, two Iranian ships and six Iranian gunboats were destroyed. An American helicopter also crashed. [28]
US shoots down civilian airliner
In the course of these escorts by the U. S. Navy, the cruiser USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655 with the loss of all 290 passengers and crew on July 3, 1988. History 1980s The Vincennes was the first of the Ticonderoga -class cruisers to enter the Pacific Fleet. Iran Air Flight 655, also known as IR655, was a civilian Airliner shot down by US missiles on Sunday July 3, 1988, over Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The American government claimed that the airliner had been mistaken for an Iranian F-14 Tomcat, and that the Vincennes was operating in international waters at the time and feared that it was under attack, which later appeared to be untrue. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. [31][29] The Iranians, however, maintain that the Vincennes was in fact in Iranian territorial waters, and that the Iranian passenger jet was turning away and increasing altitude after take-off. U. S. Admiral William J. Crowe also admitted on Nightline that the Vincennes was inside Iranian territorial waters when it launched the missiles. Admiral William James Crowe Jr ( January 2 1925 &ndash October 18 2007) was a United States Navy Admiral who
George H.W. Bush (U. George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12 1924 served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 S. Vice President) [July 14, 1988]:"One thing is clear, and that is that the USS Vincennes acted in self-defense. __FORCETOC__ For the Vice President of the United States, their roles and other information see Vice President of the United States. "
Ted Koppel [voice-over]: An official story— Of the American warship as victim. At the right place. At the right time. Minding its own business.
Richard S. Williamson (Assistant Secretary of State, International Organization Affairs, 1988-1989) [July 13, 1988]: "The ship was, at the time of the incident, in international waters. "
Ted Koppel [voice-over]: It was official. And untrue. Tonight, the real story of what happened. And why. On July 3, 1988. Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) And why the U. S. government tried to cover it up. [32]
According to an investigation conducted by ABC News' Nightline, decoys were set during the war by the US Navy inside the Persian Gulf to lure out the Iranian gunboats and destroy them, and at the time USS Vincennes shot down the Iranian airliner, it was performing such an operation. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the
In 1996 the U. S. agreed to pay $131,800,000 in compensation for the incident, but expressed regret only for the loss of innocent life, and did not make a specific apology to the Iranian government. [33][29]
The shooting down of a civilian Iranian passenger plane Iran Air Flight 655 by the American cruiser USS Vincennes, was cited by an Iranian scholar as apparently giving Ruhollah Khomeini reason to withdraw from the conflict:[34]
An Iranian scholar present at the conference said a turning point in Iran's thinking came with the shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane in July 1988 by the American cruiser USS Vincennes. Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 That incident apparently led Ayatollah Khomeini to conclude that Iran could not risk the possibility of U. S. open combat operations against Iran and he decided it was time to end the conflict.
"War of the Cities"
Toward the end of the war, the land conflict regressed into stalemate largely because neither side had enough self-propelled artillery or air power to support ground advances. Stalemate is a situation in Chess where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal moves
The relatively professional Iraqi armed forces could not make headway against the far more numerous Iranian infantry. The Infantry is the oldest and most numerous of the Combat Arms in the Armed forces, and consists The Iranians were outmatched in towed and self-propelled artillery, which left their tanks and troops vulnerable. Artillery (from French artillerie) is a military Combat Arm which employs any apparātus machine What followed was the Iranians substituting infantry for artillery.
Iraq's air force soon began strategic bombing against Iranian cities, chiefly Tehran, in 1985. Tehran (or Teheran) ( Persian: تهران Tehrān) is the capital and largest City of Iran, and the administrative center of To minimize losses from the superior Iranian Air Force, Iraq rapidly switched to Scud and Al-Hussein improved Scud launches. Scud is a series of Tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and exported widely to other countries Al Hussein or al-Husayn ( Arabic: الحسين is a designation of an Iraqi Ballistic missile. In retaliation, Iran fired Scud missiles acquired from Libya and Syria against Baghdad. Scud is a series of Tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and exported widely to other countries Baghdad (بغداد) is the Capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is also coterminous In all, Iraq launched 520 Scuds and Al-Husseins against Iran and received only 177 in exchange. In October 1986, Iraqi aircraft attacked civilian passenger trains and aircraft, including an Iran Air Boeing 737 unloading passengers at Shiraz International Airport. Iran Air ( is the Flag carrier Airline of Iran, based in Tehran. Shiraz International Airport is located in Shiraz, Iran. It is the main international airport of Fars province
In retaliation for the Iranian Operation Karbala-5, an early 1987 attempt to capture Basra, Iraq attacked 65 cities in 226 sorties over 42 days, bombing civilian neighborhoods. Operation Karbala-5 was an offensive carried out by Iran in an effort to capture the Iraqi port city of Basra in early 1987 Eight Iranian cities came under attack from Iraqi missiles. The bombings killed 65 children in an elementary school in Borujerd alone. Borujerd ( ( Luri pronunciation vorūgerd, also borūgerd; Borujerdi Dialect: vūriyerd) (Name spelling variations Boroujerd The Iranians also responded with Scud missile attacks on Baghdad and struck a primary school there. These events became known as "the war of the cities". [33]
Towards a ceasefire
1987 saw a renewed wave of Iranian offensives against targets in both the north and south of Iraq. Iranian troops were stopped by Iraqi prepared defenses in the south in a month-and-a-half long battle for Basra (Operation Karbala-5), but met with more success later in the year in the north as Operations Nasr 4 and Karbala-10 threatened to capture the oil-rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk and other northern oilfields. Operation Karbala-5 was an offensive carried out by Iran in an effort to capture the Iraqi port city of Basra in early 1987 Operation Nasr-4 was a successful Iranian offensive in Iraqi Kurdistan. Operation Karbala Ten was a joint effort by Iran and the Kurdish rebels in Iraq. Kirkuk (also spelled Karkuk or Kerkuk; Kurdish: كهركووك Kerkûk; Arabic: كركوك Turkish:Kerkük; However, the Iranian forces were unable to consolidate their gains and continue their advance, and so 1987 saw little land change hands. On 20 July, the Security Council of the United Nations passed the US-sponsored Resolution 598, which called for an end to fighting and a return to pre-war boundaries. Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold Iraq, which had lost important pieces of land over the course of the war, accepted the resolution. Iran, however, was loathe to surrender its gains when total victory seemed close at hand, and so the fighting continued. [35]
By April 1988, however, the Iraqi forces had regrouped sufficiently to begin a new series of devastating attacks on the Iranians, and in quick succession recaptured the strategic al-Faw peninsula (lost in 1986 in Operation Dawn-8) and territory around Basra and also struck deep into the Iranian north, capturing much matériel. Operation Dawn 8 was an Iranian military operation conducted in the Iran–Iraq War of 1980-1988 [5] Following these major setbacks, Iran accepted the terms of Resolution 598. However Iraq, which had seen major victories in the end of the war, thought at first it could invade Iran once more; in the end, Iraqi forces managed to make small gains in Khuzestan but were halted by the Iranians and so Iraq also accepted the terms and on 20 August 1988 peace was restored. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)
The People's Mujahedin of Iran started their ten day operation after the Iranian government accepted UN Resolution 598. The People's Mujahedin of Iran ( PMOI, also MEK, MKO) ( Persian: سازمان مجاهدين خلق ايران sāzmān-e mojāhedin-e khalq-e While Iraqi forces attacked Khuzestan, the Mujahedin attacked western Iran and battled the Pasdaran for Kermanshah. Khūzestān (خوزستان is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. Close air support from the Iraqis contributed to whatever gains the Mojahedin made. However, under heavy international pressure for ending the war, Saddam Hussein withdrew his fighter aircraft and the sky opened for the Iranian airborne forces to be deployed behind Mojahedin lines. The operation ended in a defeat for the Mojahedin. Casualty figures range from 2,000 to as high as 10,000.
- See also: Operation Mersad
List of major Iranian operations during the war
- 27 September-29 September 1981: Operation Samen-ol-A'emeh; Iran retakes Abadan. Operation Mersad was the name given by the Iranian government to its successful counterattack against a July 1988 military incursion from Iraq by a military force of about 7000 members Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Operation Samen-ol-A'emeh was an offensive of the Iran-Iraq war between 27 September - 29 September 1981 where Iran retook the city Abadan (film is also the name of a 2003 Iranian movie from director Mani Haghighi, as well as the name of a town in Turkmenistan
- 29 November-mid-December 1981: Operation Tarigh ol-Qods; Iran retakes Bostan and area north of Susangerd. Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Operation Tariq al-Qods (meaning Operation Jerusalem Way) was an operation in the Iran-Iraq War launched by Iran to free Bostan. Sousangerd is an Iranian city in the province Khouzestan. It is the capital of Dasht-e-Azadegan county
- 21 March-30 March 1982: Operation Fath-ol-Mobeen (Operation Undeniable Victory; Iran expels Iraqi troops from Dezful-Shush area. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Events 240 BC - 1st recorded Perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Operation Undeniable Victory also known as Operation Fath-ol-Mobeen was an Iranian operation conducted during the Iran-Iraq War, in March 1982 Dezful ( Dezh-pol, دزفول Fortress Bridge) is a City in the Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. Shush County ( Persian: شهرستان شوش is a County in Khuzestan Province in Iran.
- 30 April-24 May 1982: Operation Beit-ol-Moqaddas; Iran retakes Khorramshahr and drives Iraqis back across the border. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas (or Operation Jerusalem) was an Iranian operation conducted during the Iran–Iraq War. Khorramshahr (خرمشهر is a Port city in Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran.
- 14 July-28 July 1982: Operation Ramadan; Failed Iranian offensive to capture Basra. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) A phase of the Iran-Iraq War, Operation Ramadan was launched by Iran in July 1982 near Basra. Basra ( BGN: AlBasrah also called Basorah Abillah and Uruk or IRAQ The name that British colony has adopted for Basra
- 9 April-17 April 1983: Operation Valfajr-1/Dawn-1; Failed Iranian offensive in Ein Khosh to capture Basra-Baghdad highway. Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Operation Dawn-1 (also known as Operation Valfajr-1) was an Iranian offensive in the Iran–Iraq War.
- 19 October-mid November 1983: Operation Valfajr-4/Dawn 4; Iranian offensive in Iraq's Kurdistan near Panjwin makes small gains. Events 202 BCE - The Battle of Zama results in the defeat of Carthage and Hannibal. Operation Valfajr-4 (also known as Operation Dawn 4) was an Iranian Operation in Iraqi Kurdistan that took from 19 October 1983
- 22 February-16 March 1984: Operation Kheibar; Iranian offensive captures the Iraqi Majnoon Islands in the Haur al-Hawizeh marshes. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Events 597 BC - Babylonians capture Jerusalem, replace Jehoiachin with Zedekiah as king Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Operation Kheibar was an Iranian offensive in the Iran-Iraq War.
- 10 March-20 March 1985: Operation Badr; Unsuccessful Iranian offensive to capture the Basra-Baghdad highway. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Events 1600 - The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar)
- 9 February-25 February 1986: Operation Valfajr-8/Dawn 8; Three-pronged Iranian offensive leads to capture of al-Faw Peninsula. Events 474 - Zeno crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Operation Dawn 8 was an Iranian military operation conducted in the Iran–Iraq War of 1980-1988 This article is about the Iraqi peninsula See also the Al-Fao artillery system
- 2 June 1986: Operation Karbala-1. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar)
- 1 September 1986: Operation Karbala-2; Iranian offensive in the Hajj Umran area of Iraqi Kurdistan. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar)
- 9 January-26 February 1987: Operation Karbala-5; Iranian offensive in southern Iraq to capture Basra. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Operation Karbala-5 was an offensive carried out by Iran in an effort to capture the Iraqi port city of Basra in early 1987
- 21 June 1987: Operation Nasr 4. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Operation Nasr-4 was a successful Iranian offensive in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iranian Operation captures Kirkuk
- 16 March 1988: Operation Valfajr-10/Dawn 10; Iranian offensive in Iraqi Kurdistan. Kirkuk (also spelled Karkuk or Kerkuk; Kurdish: كهركووك Kerkûk; Arabic: كركوك Turkish:Kerkük; Events 597 BC - Babylonians capture Jerusalem, replace Jehoiachin with Zedekiah as king Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) History See also History of the Kurdish people Ancient period See also Hurrians, Guti, Mannaeans, Medes
- 27 July 1988: Operation Mersad. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Operation Mersad was the name given by the Iranian government to its successful counterattack against a July 1988 military incursion from Iraq by a military force of about 7000 members
List of major Iraqi operations during the war
- 22 September-mid November 1980; Iraqi invasion of Iran
- 9 March-10 March 1986; Unsuccessful Iraqi offensive to recapture Al-Faw Peninsula. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the Iraqi peninsula See also the Al-Fao artillery system
- 17 May 1986; Iraqi offensive captures Mehran. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar)
- 16 April-18 April 1988; Iraqi offensive recaptures Al-Faw Peninsula. Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the Iraqi peninsula See also the Al-Fao artillery system Use of chemical weapons
- 23 May-25 May 1988; Iraqi offensive in northern and central sectors recaptures Shalamche using chemical weapons. Events 1430 - Siege of Compiègne: Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)
- 19 June-22 June 1988; Iraqi offensive captures Mehran. Events 1179 - The Norwegian Battle of Kalvskinnet outside Nidaros. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)
- 25 June 1988; Iraqi offensive recaptures Majnoon Islands. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)
- 12 July 1988; Iraqi offensive retakes all Iraqi territory in the Musian border region. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)
- 22 July-29 July 1988; Iraqi offensive along the entire Iran border, captures some territory in the central and southern sectors with the help of Mojahedin-e-Khalq, but fails in the northern sector. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Events 1014 - Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The People's Mujahedin of Iran ( PMOI, also MEK, MKO) ( Persian: سازمان مجاهدين خلق ايران sāzmān-e mojāhedin-e khalq-e
Order of Battle
Foreign support to Iraq and Iran
During the war, Iraq was regarded by the West (and specifically the United States) as a counterbalance to post-revolutionary Iran. The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings The Iranian Revolution' (mostly known as the Islamic Revolution, Persian: انقلاب اسلامی Enghelābe Eslāmi was the Revolution that transformed For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. The support of Iraq took the form of technological aid, intelligence, the sale of dual-use and military equipment and satellite intelligence to Iraq. Intelligence (also called intellect) is an Umbrella term used to describe a property of the Mind that encompasses many related abilities such as the capacities While there was direct combat between Iran and the United States, it is not universally agreed that the fighting between the U. S. and Iran was specifically to benefit Iraq, or for separate, although occurring at the same time, issues between the U. S. and Iran. American ambiguity towards which side to support was summed up by Henry Kissinger when the American statesman remarked that "it's a pity they [Iran and Iraq] both can't lose. Henry Alfred Kissinger (born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923) is a German -born American bureaucrat diplomat and 1973 "[5] More than 30 countries provided support to Iraq, Iran, or both. Iraq, in particular, had a complex clandestine procurement network to obtain munitions and critical materials, which, in some transactions, involved 6-10 countries. The most practical way to describe such complex procurement is to put the history in the article for the country in which the sale began.
When a country, at the same or different times, supported both Iran and Iraq, the "export control" section of both articles is apt to be identical, assuming it describes a national policy, or, in some cases, the lack of one. When a country made an exception, that will be noted. Articles in the following table detail of support of other nations to either Iran or Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War:
Iraq
Among major powers, the United States' policy was to "tilt" against Iran, supporting Iraq in diplomatic and intelligence areas, and allowing various supplies with military and civilian applications to be exported to Iraq. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi The State of Kuwait ( دولة الكويت IPA [dawlatt̪ alkuwajt̪]) is a sovereign Arab Emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Singapore Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld West Germany ( Inf German: Westdeutschland or West-Deutschland) was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany ( The German Democratic Republic ( GDR; Deutsche Demokratische Republik DDR; commonly known in English as East Germany) was a Socialist state Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia.
As will be seen in some of the country-specific sub-articles of this page, Iraq made extensive use of front companies, middlemen, secret ownership of all or part of companies all over the world, forged end user certificates and other methods to hide what it was acquiring. An End-user certificate, or EUC, is a document used in international sales of Weapons and Ammunition to certify that the buyer is the final recipient of At this time, the country-level sub-articles emphasize the country in which the procurement started, but also illustrate how procurement infrastructure was established in different countries. Some transactions may have involved people, shipping, and manufacturing in as many as 10 countries. [36]
British support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war especially illustrated the ways by which Iraq would circumvent export controls. Iraq bought at least one British company with operations in the U. K. and the U. S.
Iraq had a complex relationship with France and the Soviet Union, its major suppliers of actual weapons, to some extent having the two nations compete for its business. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991
Singapore support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war discusses land mines assembled there, as well as chemical warfare precursors shipped from Singapore, possibly by an Iraqi front company.
Another country that had an important role in arming Iraq was Italy, whose greatest impact was financial, through the U. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest S. branch of the state-owned largest bank in Italy. The Italian article is one example of how Iraq circumvented a national embargo, by, as one example, moving land and sea mine production to Singapore.
Additional country details will be added as the articles become available, in some cases in stub format for individual yet significant support, such as providing the largest amount of precursor chemicals from which chemical weapons were produced.
Although the United Nations Security Council called for a cease-fire after a week of fighting and renewed the call on later occasions, the initial call was made while Iraq occupied Iranian territory. Moreover, the UN refused to come to Iran’s aid to repel the Iraqi invasion. The Iranians thus interpreted the UN as subtly biased in favor of Iraq [37].
Iran
While the United States directly fought Iran, citing freedom of navigation as a major casus belli, as part of a complex and partially illegal program (see Iran-Contra Affair), it also supplied weapons to Iran. The United States ' Freedom of Navigation program challenges territorial claims on the world's oceans and airspace that are considered excessive by the United States using diplomatic Casus belli is a Latin language expression meaning the justification for acts of war The Iran-Contra affair was a political scandal which was revealed in November 1986 as a result of earlier events during the Reagan administration.
North Korea was a major arms supplier to Iran. North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, Its support provided included weapons it manufactured, Chinese and Soviet weapons for which the major power wanted deniability of the sale, and other Soviet-bloc weapons for which the major powers wanted deniability. Plausible deniability refers to the denial of blame in loose and informal chains of command where upper rungs quarantine the blame to the lower rungs
Both Countries
Besides the US and the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia also sold weapons to both countries for the entire duration of the conflict. See also Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia ( Serbo-Croatian Likewise Portugal helped both countries: it was not unusual seeing Iranian- and Iraqi-flagged ships side-by-side in Sines (a town with a deep-sea port). Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. A ship /ʃɪp/ is a large vessel that floats on water Ships are generally distinguished from Boats based on size Sines ( pron 'sinɨʃ is a municipality in the district of Setúbal, Portugal, with a total area of 203 ||-||-|-||-||-||-||-||-||-|} A port is a facility for receiving Ships and transferring cargo
Iran's armament and support
Military armaments/technology
- See also: Iran-Contra Affair
During the early years of the war, Iran's arsenal was almost entirely American-made, left over from the Imperial Armed Forces of the dethroned Shah. The Iran-Contra affair was a political scandal which was revealed in November 1986 as a result of earlier events during the Reagan administration. Iran's foreign supporters gradually came to include Syria and Libya. Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Iran purchased weaponry from North Korea and the People's Republic of China, notably the Silkworm anti-ship missile. North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES The HY-2 Haiying ( known in Western media as the Silkworm missile, is an anti-ship Cruise missile made by the People's Republic of China and Iran operated many U. S. -manufactured aircraft. Iranian Armored divisions revolved mainly around M60 and Chieftain tanks. The M60 Patton was the fourth and last of the Patton series medium tanks of the U The FV 4201 Chieftain was the Main battle tank of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s The fleet of around 900 tanks was on par with the British Army and these tanks were the most modern versions available. Iran acquired weapons and parts for its Shah-era U. S. systems through covert arms transactions from officials in the Reagan Administration, first indirectly through Israel and then directly. The United States Presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan Administration, was a Republican administration headed by For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. It was hoped Iran would, in exchange, persuade several radical groups to release U. S. embassy hostages, though this did eventually result. Proceeds from the sales were diverted to the Nicaraguan Contras in what became known as the Iran-Contra Affair. Nicaragua (ˌnɪkəˈrɑgwə officially the Republic of Nicaragua () is a representative democratic republic and the largest nation in Central America The Contras is a label given to the various rebel groups opposing Nicaragua 's FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional Sandinista Junta of National The Iran-Contra affair was a political scandal which was revealed in November 1986 as a result of earlier events during the Reagan administration.
According to the report of the U. S. Congressional Committees Investigating the Iran-Contra Affair issued in November 1987, "the sale of U. The Iran-Contra affair was a political scandal which was revealed in November 1986 as a result of earlier events during the Reagan administration. S. arms to Iran through Israel began in the summer of 1985, after receiving the approval of President Reagan. "[38] These sales included "2,008 BGM-71 TOW anti-Tank missiles, and 235 parts kits for MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles had been sent to Iran via Israel. The BGM-71 TOW is a US Anti-tank guided missile. TOW Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-to-command-Link guided Missile Set Development Development of the HAWK missile system began in 1952 when the United States Army began studies into a medium range Semi-active radar homing " Further shipments of up to US$2 billion of American weapons from Israel to Iran, consisting of 18 F-4 Phantom II fighter-bombers, 46 A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers, and nearly 4,000 missiles were foiled by the U.S. Department of Justice, and "unverified reports alleged that Israel agreed to sell Iran AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, radar equipment, mortar and machinegun ammunition, field telephones, M-60 tank engines and artillery shells, and spare parts for C-130 transport planes. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout For animal rights group see Justice Department (JD The United States Department of Justice ( DOJ) is a Cabinet department The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range Air-to-air missile carried by Fighter aircraft and recently certain gunship helicopters WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout "[39][40] The London Observer also estimated that Israel's arms sales to Iran during the war totaled US$ 500 million annually,[41] For more on Israeli Hawk missile sales to Iran see the Financial Times article, "Arms Embargo Which Cannot Withstand The Profit Motive. The Observer is a British Newspaper published on Sundays In about the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The "[42]
Aircraft
During the war, Iran operated U. S. -manufactured F-4, F-5 and fighters, as well as AH-1 Cobra light attack helicopters, which defended themselves very well against Mi-24s and Gazelle helicopters and had some success defending themselves against Iraqi fighter aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. History Since 400 AD Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Iranian Army also possessed M109 Howitzers, Rapier and HAWK missiles, roughly one hundred ZSU-23-4 anti-aircraft systems, and Soviet BM-21 multiple rocket launch vehicles (of the Abash variant). The M109 is an American -made self-propelled 155 mm Howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s Rapier is a British Surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a lightly armored Self-propelled, Radar guided Anti-aircraft Weapon system ( SPAAG) The BM-21 "Grad" (БМ-21 "Град" meaning Hail) is a launch vehicle of the Soviet 122 mm multiple-launch rocket system developed It also operated a number of F-14 Tomcat fighters, which, according to a few sources, proved devastating to the Iraqis in the early phases of the war. However, due to the Iranian government's estrangement from the United States, spare parts were difficult to obtain. Despite this the Iranians managed to maintain a constant presence with their Tomcats during the entire conflict, mostly due to a combination of spare parts acquired on the black market and parts made in Iran. These were supported by KC-135s, a refueling tanker based on the Boeing 367-80. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling ( IFR) air-to-air refueling ( AAR) or tanking, is WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [43] Missiles of the IRIAF and Islamic Republic of Iran Army (IRIA) were over 2000 Mavericks, thousands of AIM-9B/J/Ps Sidewinders, and AIM-7Es. The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile (AGM designed for close air support The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range Air-to-air missile carried by Fighter aircraft and recently certain gunship helicopters The AIM-7 Sparrow is a medium-range Semi-active radar homing Air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy
Military tactics
Perhaps the most commented-on and unconventional technique of the war was the use of human wave attacks by Iran, including the use of teenage Basij volunteers, some of whom[44] sacrificed their lives running over fields of landmines or charging heavy fire to clear the way for Iranian ground assault[45] or overrun Iraqi positions. The Basij (also Bassij or Baseej, or Baseej-e Mostaz'afin or "The Mobilized Oppressed"" or بسيج is a volunteer based Iranian Their devotion earned the reverence of pious Iranian revolutionaries and helped drive Iraq from Iran. To this day, the use of estesh-hadiyun (martyrdom-seekers) remains part of Iranian military doctrine. [46]
Iraq's armament and support
- Further information: Arms sales to Iraq 1973-1990, U.S. support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, and Iraq-gate (Gulf War)
Military armaments/technology
Iraq's army was primarily equipped with weaponry it had purchased from the Soviet Union and its satellites in the preceding decade. Iraq-gate refers to allegations that Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H Iraqi Security Forces (ISF is the Multi-National Force-Iraq umbrella name for military Paramilitary and civilian law enforcement entities that serve under the The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Satellite state is a political term that refers to a country which is formally independent but under heavy influence or control by another country During the war, it purchased billions of dollars worth of advanced equipment from the Soviet Union, France,[47] as well as from the People's Republic of China, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, and other sources (including Europe and facilities for making and/or enhancing chemical weapons). This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Germany,[48] and other Western countries (among them United Kingdom, France, Spain (Explosivos Alaveses), Canada, Italy and the United States) provided Iraq with biological and chemical weapons technology and the precursors to nuclear capabilities (see below). Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Biological warfare (BW — known as a germ warfare, biological weapons and bioweaponry — is the use of any Pathogen ( Bacterium Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of Chemical substances to kill injure or incapacitate an enemy.
The sources of Iraqi arms purchases between 1970 and 1990 (10% of the world market during this period) are estimated to be:
| Suppliers | in Billions (1985 $US) | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Soviet Union | 19. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 2 | 61 |
| France | 5. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. 5 | 18 |
| People's Republic of China | 1. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES 7 | 5 |
| Brazil | 1. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld 1 | 4 |
| Egypt | 1. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. 1 | 4 |
| Other countries | 2. 9 | 6 |
| Total | 31. 5 | 98. 0 |
The U. S. sold Iraq $200 million in helicopters, which were used by the Iraqi military in the war. These were the only direct U. S. -Iraqi military sales and were valued to be about 0. 6% of Iraq's conventional weapons imports during the war. [49]
Ted Koppel of ABC Nightline reported the following, however, on June 9, 1992: "It is becoming increasingly clear that George Bush Sr. Edward James "Ted" Koppel (born February 8, 1940) is an American journalist, best known as the former anchor for the Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) , operating largely behind the scenes throughout the 1980s, initiated and supported much of the financing, intelligence, and military help that built Saddam's Iraq into [an aggressive power]" and “Reagan/Bush administrations permitted — and frequently encouraged — the flow of money, agricultural credits, dual-use technology, chemicals, and weapons to Iraq. ”
According to the New Yorker, the Reagan Administration began to allow Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt to transfer to Iraq American howitzers, helicopters, bombs and other weapons.
The United States, United Kingdom, and Germany also provided "dual use" technology (computers, engines, etc. ) that allowed Iraq to expand its missile program and radar defenses. The U. S. Commerce Department, in violation of procedure, gave out licenses to companies for $1. 5 billion in dual-use items to be sent to Iraq. The State Department was not informed of this. Over 1 billion of these authorized items were trucks that were never delivered. The rest consisted of advanced technology. Iraq's Soviet-made Scuds had their ranges expanded as a result. [50][51]
Aircraft
After suffering a severe blow in the Yom Kippur war, when an entire armored division was sent to help Syria, together with MiGs and other military units, and after the clashes happened with Iran, Sadam Hussein spent much money to build an improved air force although it expanded and upgraded its fleet considerably as the war progressed. The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War (מלחמת יום הכיפורים transliterated: Milkhemet Yom HaKipurim or מלחמת יום
For air defense, MiG-21s, and later even powerful MiG-25s were bought, and Soviet doctrine followed. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [52]
Large numbers of Soviet Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters were made, which were more effective in close air support, using urban or mountain cover, than for antitank work. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [52] Soviet 3M11 Falanga (NATO reporting name AT-2 SWATTER) were ineffective on helicopters. The AT-2 Swatter is the NATO reporting name for the 3M11 Fleyta (flute MCLOS radio command Anti-tank missile of the Iraq bought the Anglo-French Aérospatiale Gazelle scout helicopter with the Euromissile HOT, as Syria already had done. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout HOT ( H aut subsonique O ptiquement T éléguidé = High Subsonic Optical Guided is an Anti-tank missile system developed by Euromissile [43]
Soviet MiG-23 and Su-17 aircraft were not as effective for ground attack. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Against shipping and ground targets, Iraq moved to French equipment and doctrine. The Exocet anti-shipping missile, launched first from Super Etendard and then Mirage F-1 aircraft, was effective. The Exocet is a French -built Anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels submarines and airplanes Anti-ship missiles are a Missile designed for use against Ships Most anti-ship missiles are of the Sea-skimming type and use a combination of WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Iraqi Mirage F-1 ground attack pilots were trained by France. According to the U. S. , "tactical changes accompanied the upgrading of equipment. On bombing missions the Iraqis started to use low-altitude attacks. Precision-guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs were used with increased accuracy. "[52]
Chemical weapons
According to Iraq's report to the UN, the know-how and material for developing chemical weapons were obtained from the United States, West Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the People's Republic of China. Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of Chemical substances to kill injure or incapacitate an enemy. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the West Germany ( Inf German: Westdeutschland or West-Deutschland) was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany ( The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES [53]
In December 2002, Iraq's 1,200 page Weapons Declaration revealed a list of Eastern and Western corporations and countries, as well as individuals, that exported a total of 17,602 tons of chemical precursors to Iraq in the past two decades. By far, the largest suppliers of precursors for chemical weapons production were in Singapore (4,515 tons), the Netherlands (4,261 tons), Egypt (2,400 tons), India (2,343 tons), and Federal Republic of Germany (1,027 tons). Singapore The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country West Germany ( Inf German: Westdeutschland or West-Deutschland) was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany ( One Indian company, Exomet Plastics (now part of EPC Industrie) sent 2,292 tons of precursor chemicals to Iraq. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Kim Al-Khaleej firm, located in Singapore and affiliated to United Arab Emirates, supplied more than 4,500 tons of VX, sarin, and mustard gas precursors and production equipment to Iraq. Singapore VX (S--O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a Nerve agent. Sarin, also known by its NATO designation of GB, is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a Nerve agent. The sulfur mustards, of which mustard gas ( Bis (2-chloroethyl sulfide is a member are a class of related Cytotoxic, Vesicant Chemical [54]
According to Iraq's declarations, it had procured 340 pieces of equipment used for the production of chemical weapons. More than half came from a US firm via a German company, the remainder mostly from France, Spain, and Austria. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich In addition, Iraq declared that it imported more than 200,000 munitions made for delivering chemicals, 75,000 came from Italy, 57,500 from Spain, 45,000 from China, and 28,500 from Egypt. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Declassified U. S. government documents indicate that the U. S. government had confirmed that Iraq was using chemical weapons "almost daily" during the Iran-Iraq conflict as early as 1983. U. S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld even met with Saddam Hussein the same day the UN released a report that Iraq had used mustard gas and tabun nerve agent against Iranian troops. Donald Henry Rumsfeld (born July 9 1932 is a United States Businessman, Politician, the 13th Secretary of Defense under President Effects of overexposure The exact symptoms of overexposure are similar to those created by all Nerve agents Tabun like all nerve agents is toxic even in minute doses [55]
The New York Times reported from Baghdad on 29 March 1984, that "American diplomats pronounce themselves satisfied with Iraq and the U. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) S. , and suggest that normal diplomatic ties have been established in all but name. " The chairman of the Senate committee, Don Riegle, said: “The executive branch of our government approved 771 different export licenses for sale of dual-use technology to Iraq. I think it’s a devastating record”. [56]
According to the Washington Post, the CIA began in 1984 secretly to give Iraq intelligence that Iraq used to "calibrate" its mustard gas attacks on Iranian troops. In August, the CIA establishes a direct Washington-Baghdad intelligence link, and for 18 months, starting in early 1985, the CIA provided Iraq with "data from sensitive U. S. satellite reconnaissance photography. . . to assist Iraqi bombing raids. " The Post’s source said that this data was essential to Iraq’s war effort. [57]
In May 2003, an extended list of international companies involvements in Iraq was provided by The Independent. The Independent is a British compact Newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly 's Independent News & Media. Howard Teicher and Radley Gayle, stated that 31 Bell helicopters that were given to Iraq by U. S. later were used to spray chemical weapons. [58]
Iraq's chemical weapons program was mainly assisted by German companies such as Karl Kobe, which built a chemical weapons facility disguised as a pesticide plant. Iraq’s foreign contractors, including Karl Kolb with Massar for reinforcement, built five large research laboratories, an administrative building, eight large underground bunkers for the storage of chemical munitions, and the first production buildings. 150 tons of mustard were produced in 1983. About 60 tons of Tabun were produced in 1984. Pilot-scale production of Sarin began in 1984. Sarin, also known by its NATO designation of GB, is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a Nerve agent. Germany also supplied reactors, heat exchangers, condensers and vessels. France, Austria, Canada, and Spain provided similar equipment. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.
The Al Haddad trading company of Tennessee delivered 60 tons of DMMP, a chemical used to make sarin, a nerve gas implicated in the Gulf War Syndrome. Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. Dimethyl methylphosphonate, or methylphosphonic acid dimethyl ester ( DMMP) is a colorless liquid with chemical formula 393 or CH3PO(OCH32 Sarin, also known by its NATO designation of GB, is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a Nerve agent. Nerve agents (also being referred to as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature are a class of Phosphorus -containing organic chemicals Gulf War syndrome (GWS or Gulf War illness (GWI is an Illness reported by combat Veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War typified by Symptoms The Al Haddad trading company appears to have been an Iraqi front company. The firm was owned by Sahib Abd al-Amir al-Haddad, an Iraqi-born, naturalized American citizen. Recent stories in The New York Times and The Tennessean reported that al-Haddad was arrested in Bulgaria in November 2002 while trying to arrange an arms sale to Iraq. The Tennessean is the principal daily Newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, with a circulation area covering 39 counties in The state of Bulgaria (България transliterated bg-Latn ''Balgaria'' The country preserves the traditions (in ethnic name language and alphabet of the First Bulgarian Al-Haddad was charged with conspiring to purchase equipment for the manufacture of a giant Iraqi cannon, a design based on the Canadian HARP program. Project Babylon was a project allegedly commissioned by the Iraqi president Saddam Hussein during the Iran–Iraq War to build a series of Superguns In 1984, U. S. Customs at New York's Kennedy Airport stopped an order addressed to the Iraqi State Enterprise for Pesticide Production for 74 drums of potassium fluoride, a dual-use chemical used in the production of Sarin. The order was placed by Al-Haddad Enterprises Incorporates, owned by an individual named Sahib al-Haddad. [59]
The U. S. firm Alcolac International supplied one dual-use mustard-gas precursor, thiodiglycol, to Iraq & Iran in violation of U. Thiodiglycol, or bis(2-hydroxyethylsulfide, is a viscous clear to pale-yellow liquid used as a solvent S. export laws but the U. S. Justice Department for illegal exports indicted the company in 1988 only for its illegal exports to Iran and was forced to pay a fine. Overall between 300-400 tons were sent to Iraq. [59]
Biological
Iraq did not use biological weapons in the war, but built up its capability during that time. Biological warfare (BW — known as a germ warfare, biological weapons and bioweaponry — is the use of any Pathogen ( Bacterium On 25 May 1994, The U.S. Senate Banking Committee released a report in which it was stated that pathogenic biological research materials were exported to Iraq, pursuant to application and licensing by the U. Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) The United States Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs has jurisdiction over matters related to Banks and banking Price controls, Deposit A pathogen (from Greek πάθος pathos "suffering passion" and γἰγνομαι (γεν- gignomai (gen- "I give birth to" infectious S. Department of Commerce. It added: "These exported biological materials were not attenuated or weakened and were capable of reproduction. "[60] The report then detailed 70 shipments (including Anthrax Bacillus) from the United States to Iraqi government agencies over three years, concluding that "these microorganisms exported by the United States were identical to those the UN inspectors found and recovered from the Iraqi biological warfare program. Anthrax is an acute Disease in humans and animals caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis which is highly lethal in some forms "[61] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control sent Iraq 14 agents "with biological warfare significance," including West Nile virus, according to Riegle's investigators. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services based in unincorporated West Nile virus (or WNV is a Virus of the family Flaviviridae; part of the Japanese encephalitis (JE antigenic complex of viruses it is found in
A report by Berlin's Die Tageszeitung in 2002 reported that Iraq's 11,000-page report to the UN Security Council listed 150 foreign companies that supported Saddam Hussein's WMD program. Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. die tageszeitung (referred to commonly as taz) founded in 1978 in Berlin, is a cooperative-owned German daily Newspaper. A weapon of mass destruction ( WMD) is a weapon which can kill large numbers of humans and/or cause great damage to man-made structures (e Twenty-four U. S. firms were involved in exporting arms and materials to Baghdad. [25] Donald Riegle, Chairman of the Senate committee that made the report, said, "UN inspectors had identified many United States manufactured items that had been exported from the United States to Iraq under licenses issued by the Department of Commerce, and [established] that these items were used to further Iraq's chemical and nuclear weapons development and its missile delivery system development programs. Donald Wayne Riegle Jr (born February 4, 1938) is an American Politician from Michigan, who served as both a Congressman The United States Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs has jurisdiction over matters related to Banks and banking Price controls, Deposit " He added, "the executive branch of our government approved 771 different export licenses for sale of dual-use technology to Iraq. I think that is a devastating record. "
Financial support
Iraq's main financial backers were the oil-rich Persian Gulf states, most notably Saudi Arabia ($30. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi 9 billion), Kuwait ($8. The State of Kuwait ( دولة الكويت IPA [dawlatt̪ alkuwajt̪]) is a sovereign Arab Emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed 2 billion) and the United Arab Emirates ($8 billion). [62]
The Iraq-gate scandal revealed that an Atlanta branch of Italy's largest bank, Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, relying partially on U. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Banca Nazionale del Lavoro SpA is an Italian banking firm Founded in 1913 as Istituto di Credito per la Cooperazione, it was nationalized in 1929 S. taxpayer-guaranteed loans, funneled $5 billion to Iraq from 1985 to 1989. In August 1989, when FBI agents finally raided the Atlanta branch of BNL, the branch manager, Christopher Drogoul, was charged with making unauthorized, clandestine, and illegal loans to Iraq — some of which, according to his indictment, were used to purchase arms and weapons technology.
The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and ABC's Ted Koppel, covered the Iraq-gate story, and the investigation by the U. The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Edward James "Ted" Koppel (born February 8, 1940) is an American journalist, best known as the former anchor for the S. Congress. [63] This scandal is covered in Alan Friedman's book The Spider's Web: The Secret History of How the White House Illegally Armed Iraq.
Beginning in September 1989, the Financial Times laid out the first charges that BNL, relying heavily on U. The Financial Times ( FT) is a British international business Newspaper. S. government-guaranteed loans, was funding Iraqi chemical and nuclear weapons work. For the next two and a half years, the Financial Times provided the only continuous newspaper reportage (over 300 articles) on the subject. Among the companies shipping militarily useful technology to Iraq under the eye of the U. S. government, according to the Financial Times, were Hewlett-Packard, Tektronix, and Matrix Churchill, through its Ohio branch. Tektronix Inc is a North American company best known for its test and measurement equipment such as Oscilloscopes Logic analyzers, and video and mobile The Arms-to-Iraq affair concerned the uncovering of the government-endorsed sale of arms by British companies to Saddam Hussein 's Iraq. Ohio ( is a Midwestern state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads
In all, Iraq received $35 billion in loans from the West and between $30 and $40 billion from the Gulf States during the 1980s. [64]
Comparison of Iraqi and Iranian military strength
The power of the Iranian and Iraqi forces was unbalanced. The strength of Iraq and Iran is seen on the table by The Economist estimates:[65]
| Imbalance of Power (1980-1987) | Iraq | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Tanks in 1980 | 2700 | 1740 |
| Tanks in 1987 | 4500 | 1000 |
| Fighter Aircraft in 1980 | 332 | 445 |
| Fighter Aircraft in 1987 | 500+ | 65* |
| Helicopters in 1980 | 40 | 500 |
| Helicopters in 1987 | 150 | 60 |
| Artillery in 1980 | 1000 | 1000+ |
| Artillery in 1987 | 4000+ | 1000+ |
Casualties on Iranian Side
The infobox for this article shows estimated casualties on the Iranian side of 500,000-1,000,000. The Economist is an English-language weekly news and International affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd and edited in London A tank is a tracked, Armoured fighting vehicle designed for Front-line combat which combines Operational mobility and tactical A tank is a tracked, Armoured fighting vehicle designed for Front-line combat which combines Operational mobility and tactical A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed History Since 400 AD Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. History Since 400 AD Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. Artillery (from French artillerie) is a military Combat Arm which employs any apparātus machine Artillery (from French artillerie) is a military Combat Arm which employs any apparātus machine
The official figures from the government of Iran are provided by Emadeddin Baghi. Emadeddin Baghi is a "prominent Iranian rights activist and leading prisoners' rights advocate" and a "renowned Iranian Investigative journalist. [66]
At one point, the Iranian army numbered about 305,000 soldiers and unknown number of Basiji militia (approximately 400,000 to 700,000). Iran had something about 700,000 soldiers/Basij in 1987-1988. So the figures of 305,000 Army and 400-700,000 Basij seem to reflect the numbers at one point, not the numbers of all who served during the war. A figure of almost 1,000,000 would mean that almost all Iranian soldiers and militia were either killed, wounded or missing during the war, on the other hand, there were civilian casualties, there was draft, there were replacements. So 1,000,000 KIAs/WIAs is probable. Plus, the death toll for Iranians is not over yet, due to lasting effects of Iraq's chemical weapons.
One can count the graves of killed for war+revolution in Beheshte Zahra, known as martyrs in Iran, the main cemetry of Tehran, when war ended. All martyrs, either in war or as a result of actions by MKO etc. , are marked separately and are easily countable. They were roughly in blocks of 24, 28, 26 and 32. Each block has around 100 rows and 50 columns, that brings the total number of martyrs buried in Beheshte-Zahra to about 20,000. Considering Tehran had a population of 5-6 million then out of around 55 million, we can estimate the number to be around 200,000 killed, that is not too far from the official figure after war which is 215,000.
Weapons of mass destruction
- See also: Halabja poison gas attack
With more than 100,000 Iranian victims of Iraq's chemical weapons during the eight-year war, Iran is one of the countries most severely afflicted by weapons of mass destruction. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. A weapon of mass destruction ( WMD) is a weapon which can kill large numbers of humans and/or cause great damage to man-made structures (e [67]
The official estimate does not include the civilian population contaminated in bordering towns or the children and relatives of veterans, many of whom have developed blood, lung and skin complications, according to the Organization for Veterans of Iran. According to a 2002 article in the Star-Ledger:
- "Nerve gas killed about 20,000 Iranian soldiers immediately, according to official reports. The Star-Ledger is a Newspaper in the US state of New Jersey and is based in Newark. Of the 90,000 survivors, some 5,000 seek medical treatment regularly and about 1,000 are still hospitalized with severe, chronic conditions. "[68]
Iraq also used chemical weapons on Iranian civilians, killing many in villages and hospitals. Many civilians suffered severe burns and health problems, and still suffer from them. Furthermore, 308 Iraqi missiles were launched at population centers inside Iranian cities between 1980 and 1988 resulting in 12,931 casualties. [67]
On 21 March 1986, the United Nations Security Council made a declaration stating that "members are profoundly concerned by the unanimous conclusion of the specialists that chemical weapons on many occasions have been used by Iraqi forces against Iranian troops and the members of the Council strongly condemn this continued use of chemical weapons in clear violation of the Geneva Protocol of 1925 which prohibits the use in war of chemical weapons. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) " The United States was the only member who voted against the issuance of this statement. [69]
According to retired Colonel Walter Lang, senior defense intelligence officer for the United States Defense Intelligence Agency at the time, "the use of gas on the battlefield by the Iraqis was not a matter of deep strategic concern" to Reagan and his aides, because they "were desperate to make sure that Iraq did not lose. " He claimed that the Defense Intelligence Agency "would have never accepted the use of chemical weapons against civilians, but the use against military objectives was seen as inevitable in the Iraqi struggle for survival",[70] The Reagan administration did not stop aiding Iraq after receiving reports of the use of poison gas on Kurdish civilians. [71][72] There is great resentment in Iran that the international community helped Iraq develop its chemical weapons arsenal and armed forces, and also that the world did nothing to punish Saddam's Ba'athist regime for its use of chemical weapons against Iran throughout the war — particularly since the US and other western powers soon felt obliged to oppose the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and eventually invade Iraq itself to remove Saddam Hussein. The State of Kuwait ( دولة الكويت IPA [dawlatt̪ alkuwajt̪]) is a sovereign Arab Emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed
The U. S. Defense Intelligence Agency also accused Iran of using chemical weapons. These allegations however, have been disputed. Joost Hiltermann, who was the principal researcher for Human Rights Watch between 1992-1994, conducted a two year study, including a field investigation in Iraq, capturing Iraqi government documents in the process. Human Rights Watch is a United States -based international Non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on Human rights. According to Hiltermann, the literature on the Iran-Iraq war reflects a number of allegations of chemical weapons use by Iran, but these are "marred by a lack of specificity as to time and place, and the failure to provide any sort of evidence". [73]
Gary Sick and Lawrence Potter call the allegations against Iran "mere assertions" and state: "no persuasive evidence of the claim that Iran was the primary culprit [of using chemical weapons] was ever presented". Gary G Sick (born 1935 is an American academic and analyst of Middle East affairs with special expertise on Iran, who served on the U [74] Policy consultant and author Joseph Tragert also states: "Iran did not retaliate with chemical weapons, probably because it did not possess any at the time". [75]
At his trial in December 2006, Saddam Hussein said he would take responsibility "with honour" for any attacks on Iran using conventional or chemical weapons during the 1980-1988 war but he took issue with charges he ordered attacks on Iraqis. [76] A medical analysis of the effects of Iraqi mustard gas is described a U. The sulfur mustards, of which mustard gas ( Bis (2-chloroethyl sulfide is a member are a class of related Cytotoxic, Vesicant Chemical S. military textbook, and contrasted with slightly different effects in the First World War. [77]
Aftermath
The war was extremely costly in lives and material, one of the deadliest wars since World War II (see list of wars and disasters by death toll). World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including This is a list of wars and human-made disasters by death toll. It cost Iran an estimated 1 million casualties, even the Iranians are still suffering and dying from the consequences of Iraq's use of chemical weapons. [33]
The financial loss was also heavy, at that time exceeding US$500 billion for each. Economic development was stalled and oil exports disrupted. Iraq was left with serious debts to its former Arab backers, including US$14 billion loaned by Kuwait, a debt which contributed to Saddam's 1990 decision to invade.
Much of the oil industry in both countries was damaged in air raids. Strategic bombing is a Military strategy used in a Total war with the goal of defeating an enemy nation-state by destroying its economic ability to wage war rather Iran's production capacity has yet to fully recover from the damages of the war. Prisoners taken by both sides were not released until more than 10 years after the end of the conflict.
Not all saw the war in negative terms. The Islamic Revolution of Iran was strengthened and radicalized. [78] The Iranian government-owned Etelaat newspaper wrote:
"There is not a single school or town that is excluded from the happiness of waging war, from drinking the exquisite elixir of death or from the sweet death of the martyr, who dies in order to live forever in paradise. "[79]
The Iraqi government commemorated the war with various monuments, including the Hands of Victory and the Al-Shaheed Monument, both in Baghdad. The Swords of Qādisīyah, also called the Hands of Victory, are a pair of Triumphal arches in central Baghdad, Iraq. The Al-Shaheed Monument (نُصب الشهيد also known as the Martyr's Memorial, is a monument in the Iraqi capital Baghdad dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers
The war left the borders unchanged. Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions such as Governments States or subnational administrative Two years later, as war with the western powers loomed, Saddam recognized Iranian rights over the eastern half of the Shatt al-Arab, a reversion to the status quo ante bellum that he had repudiated a decade earlier.
Declassified US intelligence available has explored both the domestic and foreign implications of Iran's apparent (in 1982) victory over Iraq in their then two-year old war. [80]
Final ruling
On 9 December 1991, the UN Secretary-General reported the following to the UN Security Council:
"That Iraq's explanations do not appear sufficient or acceptable to the international community is a fact. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Accordingly, the outstanding event under the violations referred to is the attack of 22 September 1980, against Iran, which cannot be justified under the charter of the United Nations, any recognized rules and principles of international law or any principles of international morality and entails the responsibility for conflict. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) " "Even if before the outbreak of the conflict there had been some encroachment by Iran on Iraqi territory, such encroachment did not justify Iraq's aggression against Iran—which was followed by Iraq's continuous occupation of Iranian territory during the conflict—in violation of the prohibition of the use of force, which is regarded as one of the rules of jus cogens. " "On one occasion I had to note with deep regret the experts' conclusion that "chemical weapons had been used against Iranian civilians in an area adjacent to an urban center lacking any protection against that kind of attack" (s/20134, annex). The Council expressed its dismay on the matter and its condemnation in resolution 620 (1988), adopted on 26 August 1988. Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) "[81]
In media
- Alhodood Almultahebah (The Flamed Borders) is an Iraqi film released in 1987. It is considered to be the Saving Private Ryan and Enemy at the Gates version of the Iran-Iraq war. Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 War film set during the invasion of Normandy during World War II. Enemy at the Gates is a 2001 War film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, starring Jude Law and Ed Harris set during the Battle The film was a huge hit upon its release, however it is not well known outside Iraq. [82][83]
- Kilomètre zéro (Kilometer Zero)is a 2005 French film about a young Iraqi who tries to flee Iraq in the late 1980s. Kilomètre zéro is a 2005 Film written and directed by the Kurdish director Hiner Saleem. However, he is captured and conscripted into the Iraqi army to fight in the Iran-Iraq War.
- Modern Warfare: Global Technologies and Tactics is a documentary that includes a chapter about the Iran Iraq War. [84][85][86]
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- ^ Kurds in Iran (page2)
- ^ WHO ARE THE MEN IN THIS PHOTO?
"He then makes an oblique reference to the fact that Ghassemlou and his party had collaborated with Saddam Hussain during Iraq's war against Iran"
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- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. Case No. 93-241-CR-HIGHSMITH, CARLOS CARDOEN, FRANCO SAFTA, JORGE BURR, INDUSTRIAS CARDOEN LIMITADA, DECLARATION OF a/k/a INCAR, HOWARD TEICHER, SWISSCO MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. EDWARD A. JOHNSON, RONALD W. GRIFFIN, and TELEDYNE INDUSTRIES, INC. , d/b/a, TELEDYNE WAH CHANG ALBANY. 1/31/95.
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- ^ a b c Martins, Mark S. (Winter 1994), “Rules of Engagement for Land Forces: A Matter of Training, Not Lawyering”, Military Law Review: 43-46, <http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/Military_Law_Review/pdf-files/27687D~1.pdf>
- ^ Peniston, Bradley, No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf, Naval Institute Press, pp. pp. 61-63, ISBN 1591146615. , <http://www.navybook.com/nohigherhonor/pic-stark.shtml>
- ^ Fisk, Robert (2007). The Great War for Civilization - The Conquest of the Middle East. Vintage.
- ^ Koppel, Ted (July 1, 1992), “The USS Vincennes: Public War, Secret War”, ABC Nightline, <http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jksonc/docs/ir655-nightline-19920701.html>
- ^ a b c Rajaee, Farhang. The Iran-Iraq War: The Politics of Aggression. University Press of Florida.
- ^ "The 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War: A CWIHP Critical Oral History Conference", Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, August 11, 2004
- ^ MSN Encarta Encyclopedia, Iran-Iraq War: Diplomacy and International Involvement, <http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580640_2/Iran-Iraq_War.html>
- ^ United Nations Special Commission, “Annex D: Actions by Iraq to Obstruct Disarmament”, UNSCOM's Comprehensive Review, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, <http://cns.miis.edu/research/iraq/ucreport/dis_acti.htm>
- ^ "Iran-Iraq War," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008 encarta.msn.com © 1997-2008 Microsoft Corporation. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (or Wilson Center) (located in Washington D Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " All Rights Reserved
- ^ Jewish Virtual Library: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/Iran_Contra_Affair.html
- ^ Introduction [Iran], Globalsecurity. The Jewish Virtual Library is an online Encyclopedia published by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE org (John Pike), <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/intro.htm>
- ^ Kuznetzov, N. , Text of Russian 'October Surprise' Report, <http://www.consortiumnews.com/2005/russiantext.html>
- ^ Hunter, Jane (November 1986), “Special Report: Israeli Arms Sales to Iran”, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, <http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/1186/8611002.html>
- ^ Johns, Richard. "Arms Embargo Which Cannot Withstand The Profit Motive", 13 November 1987.
- ^ a b Iran: Air Force, <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/airforce.htm>
- ^ Nasr, Vali, The Shia Revival, Norton, (2006), p. 132
- ^ Wright, Sacred Rage, 2001, p. 37
- ^ Alfoneh, Ali (Winter 2007), “Iran's Suicide Brigades Terrorism Resurgent”, Middle East Quarterly, <http://www.meforum.org/article/1059>
- ^ BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3324053.stm
- ^ Deutsche Welle report: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,716376,00.html
- ^ SIPRI], <http://web.archive.org/web/20040601181327/projects.sipri.se/armstrade/Trnd_Ind_IRQ_Imps_73-02.pdf>
- ^ Milhollin, Gary (June 1991), “Licensing Mass Destruction: U.S. Exports to Iraq: 1985-1990”, Iraq Watch (Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control), <http://www.iraqwatch.org/suppliers/LicenseMD.html>
- ^ Milhollin, Gary (January-February 2003), “The Real Target in Iraq”, Iraq Watch (Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control), <http://www.iraqwatch.org/suppliers/LicenseMD.html>
- ^ a b c United States Gulf War Air Power Survey, vol. Deutsche Welle ('Welle' pronounced with a 'v' sound IPA /'vɛlə/ or DW, is Germany's international broadcaster. IV: Weapons, Tactics, and Training and Space Operations, Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1993, <http://www.fas.org/sgp/library/gwapsv4.doc>
- ^ Link: The Independent, Wednesday, 18 December 2002: (dead URL)
- ^ What Iraq Admitted About its Chemical Weapons Program, <http://www.iraqwatch.org/suppliers/nyt-041303.gif>
- ^ Battle (editor), Joyce (February 25, 2003), Shaking Hands with Saddam Hussein: The U.S. Tilts toward Iraq, 1980-1984, vol. The Independent is a British compact Newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly 's Independent News & Media. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 82, George Washington University National Security Archive, <http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82>
- ^ “How America armed Iraq”, Sunday Herald, 2004-06-13, <http://www.sundayherald.com/42647>. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Retrieved on 12 October 2006
- ^ Woodward, Bob (15 December 1986), “CIA Aiding Iraq in Gulf War; Target Data From U. Robert "Bob" Upshur Woodward (born March 26, 1943) is an assistant managing editor of The Washington Post. S. Satellites Supplied for Nearly Two Years”, Washington Post
- ^ Teicher, Howard and Gayle,Radley (1993). Twin Pillars to Desert Storm: America's Flawed Vision in the Middle East from Nixon to Bush. William Morrow, 275.
- ^ a b Iraq Chemical Chronology 1980-1989, Nuclear Threat Initiative, <http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iraq/Chemical/3883_3895.html>
- ^ U. S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Second Staff Report on U.S. Chemical and Biological Warfare-Related Dual-Use Exports to Iraq and The Possible Impact on the Health Consequences of the War, <http://www.gulfwarvets.com/arison/banking.htm>
- ^ Barletta, Michael & Ellington, Christina (November 1998), Foreign Suppliers to Iraq's Biological Weapons Program Obtain Microbial Seed Stock for Standard or Novel Agent, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, <http://cns.miis.edu/research/wmdme/flow/iraq/seed.htm>
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- ^ The Economist: 19-25 September 1987
- ^ Casualty counts (Farsi)
- ^ a b Center for Documents of The Imposed War, Tehran. The Economist is an English-language weekly news and International affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd and edited in London (مرکز مطالعات و تحقیقات جنگ)
- ^ Fassihi, Farnaz (October 27, 2002), “In Iran, grim reminders of Saddam's arsenal”, New Jersey Star-Ledger, <http://www.nj.com/specialprojects/index.ssf?/specialprojects/mideaststories/me1209.html>
- ^ [51] S/17911 and Add. 1, 21 March 1986. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Note that this is a "decision" and not a resolution.
- ^ Colonel Walter Lang, former senior US Defense Intelligence officer, New York Times, August 18, 2002. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Galbraith, Peter W. & Van Hollen, Christopher Jr. (September 21, 1988), Chemical Weapons Use in Kurdistan: Iraq's Final Offensive, vol. staff report to the U. S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, pp. 30
- ^ Pear, Robert (15 September 1988), “U.S. Says It Monitored Iraqi Messages on Gas”, New York Times, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE6DC1E3BF936A2575AC0A96E948260>
- ^ Potter, Lawrence & Sick (2004), Iran, Iraq, and the legacies of war, MacMillan, p. 153, ISBN 1-4039-6450-5
- ^ Potter, Lawrence & Sick (2004), Iran, Iraq, and the legacies of war, MacMillan, p. 156, ISBN 1-4039-6450-5
- ^ Tragert, Joseph (2003). Understanding Iran, 190.
- ^ Rasheed, Ahmed (December 19, 2006), “Saddam admits Iran gas attacks]”, The Australian, <http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20950607-1702,00.html>
- ^ Sidell, Frederick R. ; Urbanetti, John S. ; Smith, William J. & Hurst, Charles G. , “Chapter 7: Vesicants”, Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare, Office of The Surgeon General, Department of the Army, United States of America, <http://www.sc-ems.com/ems/NuclearBiologicalChemical/MedicalAspectsofNBC/chapters/chapter_7.htm>
- ^ Nasr, Vali, The Shia Revival, Norton, (2006), p. 140
- ^ Column in Etelaat, April 4, 1983, quoted in Molavi, Afshin, The Soul of Iran (Norton), (2006)
- ^ SNIE 34/36. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) 2-82 link: http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB167
- ^ See items 6, 7, and 8 of the UN Secretary General's report to the UN Security Council on December 9, 1991:[1]
- ^ YouTube - Iraqi War Movie
- ^ Flaming Borders - New York Times
- ^ [http://www.moviesfoundonline.com/iran_iraq.php}
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
See also
- History of Iran
- Military of Iran
- Military history of Iran
- List of Iranian commanders in the Iran-Iraq War
- Military of Iraq
- History of Iraq
- Saddam's trial and Iran-Iraq War
- Frans Van Anraat
- Iran-Israel relations
- US-Iran relations
- Saddam Hussein - United States relations
- Iran Ajr, the minelaying ship captured by the U. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. See Also Persian Empire History of Iran and Greater Iran (also referred to as the " Iranian Cultural Continent The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (نيروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ايران include the IRIA (ارتش جمهوری اسلامی With thousands of years of recorded history, and due to an unchanging geographic (and subsequently geopolitical condition, Iran (previously known as Persia Iraqi Security Forces (ISF is the Multi-National Force-Iraq umbrella name for military Paramilitary and civilian law enforcement entities that serve under the This article includes an overview from prehistory to the present in the region of the current state of Iraq in Mesopotamia. The Trial of Saddam Hussein was the trial of the deposed President of Iraq Saddam Hussein by the Iraqi Interim Government for alleged Frans Cornelis Adrianus van Anraat (born August 9, 1942 in Den Helder) is a Dutch businessman who sold raw materials for the production of Former US diplomats British scholars and former US intelligence officials have confirmed that Saddam Hussein was appeased by different United States governments Iran Ajr, formerly known as the Arya Rakhsh, was a Japanese-built Amphibious assault ship used by Iran to lay Naval mines during the S.
- Morteza Avini, prominent photographer of the Iran-Iraq war
- Kaveh Golestan
- The Night Bus (film)
External links
- Documentary about the war Google)
- Iran-Iraq War at the Open Directory Project
- FMFRP 3-203 - Lessons Learned: Iran-Iraq War, 10 December 1990. Sayyed Morteza Avini (also spelled Aviny (1947 – 9 April 1993) was a distinguished Iranian Photographer of the Iran-Iraq war. Kāveh Golestān ( 1950 - April 2, 2003 ( was an Iranian Photojournalist. The Night Bus ( Persian:اتوبوس شب Otobus-e Shab) is the name of an Iranian motion picture directed by Kiumars Pourahamd. The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)
- Dutchman charged for selling chemicals to Saddam, BBC, March 18, 2005. Events 37 - The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius ' will and proclaims Caligula emperor Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
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