Essay Question: Explain the causes and outcomes of the Iran-Iraq War
Points to consider:
– Bilateral border disputes between the two states; Iraq had planned to annex Iran’s oil-rich Khuzestan Province and the Easten bank of Shatt Al Arab.
– Iraq’s primary rationale for the invasion was to cripple Iran and prevent Khomeini from exporting the 1979 Iranian movement to Shia-majority Iraq.
– Iraq wished to replace Iran as the dominant state in the Persian gulf
– The role ideology played in the war.
– Iran suffered from isolation “The declared policy of “neither east nor west” coupled with a strong anti-American rhetoric and Soviet apprehensions from having a revolutionary Islamic theocracy at their borders did not endear Iran to the superpowers.
Its Shiism and revolutionary zeal alienated most Arab countries from Iran. The only exception was the alliance with Syria and the increasing involvement in Lebanon. This isolation had a serious impact on Iran’s war capabilities as the Islamic Republic was unable to procure arms and much needed spare parts.“
