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War begins
Iraq invaded Iran by bombing Iranian airfields, which started the war. -
Iran recaptured Khorramshahr
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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.