The Iran-Iraq War

By emitchel123

  • War begins

    Iraq invaded Iran by bombing Iranian airfields, which started the war.

  • Iran recaptured Khorramshahr

  • Unilateral cease fire by Saddam Hussein.

    Saddam Hussein has Iraqi forces withdraw to the border, but Iran does not allow Iraq to stop the war without war compensation.

  • Operation Ramadan

    First attempt by Iran to conquer a major city and port of Iraq's called Basra.

  • The United Nations Security Council Adopts Resolution 540

    The resolution proposed and adopted by the United Nations encouraged ceasefire between Iran and Iraq and requested the Secretary-General to continue his meditative efforts.

  • Saddam Hussein Orders Missile Attacks

    Hussein order missile attacks against 11 cities. After 15 days the bombardment ended and Iran responded with attacks on Iraqi urban centers, leading to a war on cities.

  • Operation Kheiber

    One of the more successful Iranian operations, it lasted three weeks as Iranian troops advanced through the marshes of Southern Iraq to seize Majnun.

  • Iran Attacks Kuwaiti Tanker

    After multiple Iraqi attacks on an Iranian export facility, Iran responds with an attack on a Kuwaiti tanker and later a Saudi Arabian tanker on May 16. These attacks heighten the Tanker War and cause further conflict between Iran and Iraq.

  • The United States and Iraq Re-establish Diplomatic Relations

    After 17 years, Iraq and the United States re-establish their diplomatic relationship when Tariq Aziz met with president Ronald Regean, leading to the United States maintaining its neutrality.
  • Period: to

    Ship Attacks (1985)

    Iraq hit 33 ships in the Gulf; Iran hit 14 ships.

  • War of Cities

    Iraq bombs Ahvaz and Bushehr while Iran fires missiles at Baghdad and shells Iraqi border towns.

  • Iranian Presidential Election

    Ayatollah Khamenei is re-elected as president.
  • Period: to

    Ship Attacks (1986)

    During this year, Iraq strikes 66 ships in the Gulf and Iran strikes 41.

  • OPEC Agreement Between Iran and Saudi Arabia

    The two countries agree to lift prices to $14-16 a barrel after prices lower to $10.

  • Cease fire rejected

    Saddam Hussein calls for another cease fire, but Iran rejects it.

  • Shatt al Arab changes ownership

    Iran seizes the western bank

  • Resolution 598

    The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously for a cease fire

  • Iran accepts the cease fire

    A year later, Iran accepted the cease fire. Iraq had already accepted it.

  • Final Attacks

    The last of the Iraqi attacks were made, though they were small. The truce had not come into effect yet.

  • Negotiations begin

    Negotiations between Iran and Iraq begin in Geneva. A year later, Saddam Hussein offers Iran a peace settlement.