1980-1988

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) occurred between the Middle Eastern countries of Iran and Iraq.  A new Islamic regime emerged in Iran prior to the war based on the Islamic populist principles of Ayatollah Khomeini, the regime's leader. Khomeini condemned the leader of the Iraqi regime, Saddam Hussein, by saying that Hussein was not properly conforming to Islamic teachings. Iran also opened its borders to Kurds fleeing from the persecution of the Iraqi government, which presented a political and theological threat to Hussein. Hussein attacked the newly founded Iranian government in 1980 believing that they would be disorganized and easily overthrown.  After nearly eight years of fighting, the war ended in 1988 with neither side gaining the upperhand.¹