The Iran-Iraq War, 1980-88

The Iran-Iraq War, which began on September 22, 1980, stands as one of the deadliest and most prolonged interstate conflicts of the modern era. Triggered by Iraq’s invasion of Iran, the war lasted eight years, claiming over a million lives and devastating both nations. Rooted in centuries of historical tensions, sectarian divisions, and political rivalries, the conflict was marked by trench warfare, the use of chemical weapons, and significant civilian casualties. Saddam Hussein’s ambitions and the aftermath of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution played pivotal roles in escalating the confrontation. Both sides received external support, with Iraq backed by the United States and regional states, while Iran secured assistance from the Soviet Union and its allies.

The war had far-reaching consequences for the Middle East and global politics. It reshaped regional power dynamics, contributed to Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, and led to the Gulf War. Economically, the conflict inflicted massive losses, with both nations burdened by debts and destruction. Politically, the war solidified Iran’s revolutionary regime and enabled its emergence as a regional power, influencing conflicts across the region through alliances and proxy forces. The Iran-Iraq War remains a defining chapter in modern history, with consequences that continue to shape the region decades later.

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*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:47 Iran, Iraq, and Interstate Wars in International Relations
01:34 Iran and Iraq: Location and Population
02:37 The Historical Relationship between Iran and Iraq
03:47 Iran-Iraq Relations, 1945-1980
06:24 The Start of the Iran-Iraq War
07:45 The End of the Iran-Iraq War, 1988
09:02 The Implications of the Iran-Iraq War

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#Iran #Iraq #IranIraqWar

[JamesKerLindsay]

This is a bit of an experiment. I have long wanted to do some more historical videos to accompany the more current affairs videos on Fridays. I really liked the idea of creating a series examining the major conflicts since 1945. However, I didn't want to explore the military history (there are other channels for that). Instead, I want to summarise the political factors leading up to the war, how it ended, and the broader long-term consequences. Do let me know what you think. Do you want to see more of these?

[achmedaan]

I'd definitely like to see more historical videos!

[marcocolo]

I really like the concept of this series, and i can see a change in the style of the thumbnail!

[kennedycornermuse]

As usual, great work was delivered eloquently. Thanks

[PaxFerro]

I’ve learned a ton from this, your videos are always on point.

[predragnikitz]

Another great video, professor Ker-Lindsay!

[azrafchowdhury]

This is the first video I have seen on your channel. I really enjoyed it, Professor, and I wish I had found it earlier. Also I am interested in International Relations and want to study it at Masters level.

[aziz]

Amazing video please do more!

Touch base on unspoken about past conflicts

[thundy]

Wonderful video professor. Please do more!

[johnathanmirk]

Professor, as an Iranian, fantastic video! I know this is an “experimental” video, but for future sakes, please double check editing standards from the team. Little nitpicks such as Khamanei being on the thumbnail instead of Khomeini, and putting George HW Bush instead of Reagan like another user pointed out.

Otherwise, great video to inform the broader implications of the conflict to laymen and history buffs alike.

I highly recommend Pierre Rezoux’s book “The Iran-Iraq War, ” to anybody watching.

[thembadube]

If possible, would you please cover the Anglo-Boer war that took place in South Africa.

[PaulMathias]

I absolutely love these presentations. Keep up the great work James. And to everyone else, like, subscribe and share. We all are in desperate need of educating in these matters.

[HistoryOfRevolutions]

2:20 Iran also has a significant Sunni minority (mainly in the Balochistan and Kurdistan regions)

3:14 Shiism only became prominent in Iran later on when the Safavids conquered Iran in 1501, many centuries after the creation of Baghdad. Before the safavids, the center of Shia Islam was actually Iraq.

4:12 An interesting fact related to this is that this dispute actually originated much earlier when the local Arab sheikh known as Khaz'al Ibn Jabir revolted against the Shah of Iran in 1922 and tried to establish an independent state.

6:47 In addition to this, Khomeini decided to release all Iranian airforce pilots he had previosuly imprisoned because they had worked for the Shah. He decided he needed their experience since he had few qualified pilots.

7:40 one of Irans allies in the war was also Pakistan, who provided Iran with anti aircraft missiles that allowed Iran to shoot down saddams planes more effectively.

[EdMcF]

Was it just a Yes Minister joke that during the war, at a British diplomatic event they seated Ambassadors alphabetically but somehow slotted Ireland in between Iran and Iraq?

[thomasjohnson]

Hi James, did you say you had my question down for a Q&A video? It was about how Yugoslavia’s absence of recognition for Kosovo to be a Yugoslav republic rendered its Declaration of Independence illegal according to international law, as opposed to the other recognised Yugoslav republics. How does international law interpret the domestic law of a state, in order to establish the international law which the relevant states are then expected (but don’t!) to follow? How does international law recognise and interpret a domestic state’s law on the question of right to secession?

[belstar]

it must be depressing living in that region having to deal with so much war .

[KonradAdenauerJr]

When the war started, the late Henry Kissinger supposedly quipped "pity should either side win."
When I was in Iraq, many locals I encountered told me of their family members who had fought and died in the war against Iran, calling them "jahid."

[luqmanosman]

The people who run Iran are veterans of this war. Once you realise that you understand their grudge against Arabs.

[scottsmith]

What's with the whack-a-doodle map of Iran on the thumbnail?

[BradleyCole-tres]

You're the best Prof. Do you think Turkey and HTS will invade Rojava if/when the Americans leave because RFK Jr. pulled them out?