IRAN-IRAQ IN BRIEF
Protracted and indecisive conflict prompted by Iraq's invasion of its eastern neighbour. Following the 1979 Iranian revolution, the Iraqi leadership sought to exploit Iran's military and political chaos in order to resolve border disputes, gain control of Iran's oil-rich western (largely Arab) province, and achieve hegemony in the Persian Gulf. Iraq was successful early (1980 – 82) but began to lose ground and sought to negotiate peace. Iran refused, and the war turned into a bloody stalemate that included the first use of chemical warfare since World War I (1914 – 18). After additional Iraqi advances, Iran agreed to a cease-fire in 1988. Peace was concluded only when Iraq invaded another neighbour, Kuwait, in 1990.
Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons (first since the WW1 by any nation) against Iran. Seen are Iranian soldiers in protective gear
An Iraqi T-55 tank burns
Saddam's secret weapon: Rumor has it, this massive war-machine, dubbed the "Siege Bot" in Western intelligence circles, was built by the Iraqi regime under Saddam Hussein. The huge gun tube launched rocket-assisted howitzer rounds, and was intended to crack Iranian fortifications during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. The Siege Bot vanished soon after the first Gulf War, having never fired on Allied troops. The United States denies having it
An Iraqi chemical bomb canister
The Iranians used the British made Chieftain tank
Iranian Air Force pilots with a F-14
Iranian soldiers fire away
Scenes of elation after the Iranians retook Khorramshahr
Iranians are very nationalistic and proud people. Israel and the US have to factor this in when they deal with Iran
Iranian soldiers in the early days of the war
Dead Iranian soldiers
Protracted and indecisive conflict prompted by Iraq's invasion of its eastern neighbour. Following the 1979 Iranian revolution, the Iraqi leadership sought to exploit Iran's military and political chaos in order to resolve border disputes, gain control of Iran's oil-rich western (largely Arab) province, and achieve hegemony in the Persian Gulf. Iraq was successful early (1980 – 82) but began to lose ground and sought to negotiate peace. Iran refused, and the war turned into a bloody stalemate that included the first use of chemical warfare since World War I (1914 – 18). After additional Iraqi advances, Iran agreed to a cease-fire in 1988. Peace was concluded only when Iraq invaded another neighbour, Kuwait, in 1990.
Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons (first since the WW1 by any nation) against Iran. Seen are Iranian soldiers in protective gear
An Iraqi T-55 tank burnsFrom Wikipedia
The United States supported Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War as a counterbalance to post-revolutionary Iran. This support included several billion dollars worth of economic aid, the sale of dual-use technology, non-U.S. origin weaponry, military intelligence, Special Operations training, and direct involvement in warfare against Iran as well.
Support from the U.S. for Iraq was not a secret and was frequently discussed in open session of the Senate and House of Representatives, although the public and news media paid little attention. On June 9, 1992, Ted Koppel reported on ABC's Nightline, "It is becoming increasingly clear that George Bush, 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" the power it became", and "Reagan/Bush administrations permitted – and frequently encouraged – the flow of money, agricultural credits, dual-use technology, chemicals, and weapons to Iraq."
Saddam's secret weapon: Rumor has it, this massive war-machine, dubbed the "Siege Bot" in Western intelligence circles, was built by the Iraqi regime under Saddam Hussein. The huge gun tube launched rocket-assisted howitzer rounds, and was intended to crack Iranian fortifications during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. The Siege Bot vanished soon after the first Gulf War, having never fired on Allied troops. The United States denies having it
An Iraqi chemical bomb canister
The Iranians used the British made Chieftain tank
Iranian Air Force pilots with a F-14
Iranian soldiers fire away
Scenes of elation after the Iranians retook Khorramshahr
Iranians are very nationalistic and proud people. Israel and the US have to factor this in when they deal with Iran
Iranian soldiers in the early days of the war
Dead Iranian soldiers
