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Iran – Iraq War

Iran – Iraq War. 1980 - 1988. Beginnings…. Sept. 1980 Iraq invades iran Iraq bombed oil and military targets Saddam Hussien believed iran could be taken within days b/c of turmoil in iran. Why was there turmoil inside iran in 1980?. Iran Persian

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Iran – Iraq War

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  1. Iran – Iraq War 1980 - 1988

  2. Beginnings… • Sept. 1980 Iraq invades iran • Iraq bombed oil and military targets • Saddam Hussien believed iran could be taken within days b/c of turmoil in iran

  3. Why was there turmoil inside iran in 1980?

  4. Iran Persian Shi’ite majority Iraq Arab Shi’ite majority Sizable AND DOMINANTsunni population as well Ethnic religious make up

  5. Why is the religious and ethnic make up of iran and iraq significant?

  6. Causes of the war • Border clashes in ’79 when Ayatollah Khomeini takes power • Iran encourages Shi’ites in Iraq to rise up against saddam • Iraq wanted Khuzestan province in Iran (oil) • Saddam had ambitions of controlling the region

  7. Oil routes threatened by mines 60% of oil used by the west passed through the strait of hormuz Danger of drawing in other mideast nations Cold war implications The World threat

  8. Oil… it keeps coming up. Why?

  9. Key Targets • Iraq’s initial blitz failed • Iranians rallied behind Ayattolah Khomeini • Khomeini told iranians to drive out the infidels • Oil fields destroyed • 1million dead by the time the war was over

  10. Attacks on international shipping • US frigate was hit by an iraqi missile (37 sailors killed) • 1987 iran mined persian gulf • US warships began mine sweeping and escorting oil tankers • 1987 naval confrontation between us and iran • 1988 us shoots down iranian civilian airliner (280 killed)

  11. Taking sides • Arab nations – declare neutrality but support iraq (saudi arabia and kuwait lend iraq billions) • Ussr – started out neutral but supported iraq in the end • USA – sided w/ iraq, us supplied saddam with chemical and biological weapons

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