Oral Presentation on the Iran-Iraq Conflict .pdf

Oral Presentation on the Iran- Iraq Con ict Part 1: Geography The Iran-Iraq con ict centers on the strategic region of the Shatt al-Arab Waterway, a critical waterway formed by the con uence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, providing essential access to the Persian...

Oral Presentation on the Iran- Iraq Con ict Part 1: Geography The Iran-Iraq con ict centers on the strategic region of the Shatt al-Arab Waterway, a critical waterway formed by the con uence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, providing essential access to the Persian Gulf. This geographical feature is vital for both nations for economic and strategic reasons. For Iraq, the Shatt al-Arab is the only outlet to the sea, crucial for its oil exports. For Iran, controlling or having access to this waterway supports its aspirations for regional hegemony in the Persian Gulf. The rugged terrain and diverse landscapes of both countries also in uenced the military strategies during their prolonged con ict, contributing to the complexity of the war and the challenges of maintaining border security. Part 2: History The historical roots of the Iran-Iraq con ict are deep, dating back to ancient hostilities between Persian and Arab civilizations. The modern phase of this con ict began in earnest in 1934 over territorial disputes concerning the Shatt al-Arab Waterway. These disputes were temporarily settled by the 1937 treaty, but tensions ared again in the mid-20th century. The con ict intensi ed with the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, which threatened the regional status quo and alarmed the secular Ba'athist regime in Iraq. In 1980, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein launched a full-scale invasion of Iran, igniting the Iran-Iraq War that lasted until 1988. This war was marked by brutal trench warfare, extensive use of chemical weapons, and massive casualties on both sides, resulting in a stalemate. Despite the end of active hostilities, the con ict remains unresolved, with lingering animosities and periodic are-ups. Part 3: Politics The political dynamics of the Iran-Iraq con ict are characterized by ideological, ethnic, and sectarian di erences. Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, pursued Arab nationalism and a secular state model, clashing with Iran’s Shiite Islamist ideology promoted by Ayatollah Khomeini. These ideological di erences were compounded by ethnic tensions between Arabs and Persians and sectarian divisions between Sunni-majority Iraq (under Saddam) and Shiite-majority Iran. Key political decisions included Iraq’s rejection of the 1937 boundary agreement and its declaration of sovereignty over the entire Shatt al-Arab in 1959, as well as the Algiers Agreement of 1975, where both nations agreed to share control of the waterway. The political landscape further shifted with the Iran-Iraq War, during which both nations sought external support, leading to complex international alliances. Post-war, the political instability in Iraq and the rise of Shiite power following the 2003 U.S. invasion have in uenced the ongoing, albeit dormant, con ict. Part 4: Facts 1. Duration: The modern phase of the con ict began in 1934 and, despite periods of dormancy, remains unresolved today. 2. Key Figures: Notable leaders include Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran. 3. Interventions: Major external interventions came from global powers such as the U.S., USSR, and regional actors, in uencing the course and intensity of the con ict. 4. Key Events: - 1934: Initial dispute over the Shatt al-Arab. - 1980-1988: Iran-Iraq War, resulting in approximately one million casualties. - 1988: Cease re ending active hostilities but not resolving underlying issues. - 2003: U.S. invasion of Iraq, leading to the fall of Saddam Hussein and rise of Shiite power in Iraq. 5. Current Status: The con ict remains unresolved but dormant, with occasional diplomatic and military tensions. fi ff ff fi fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl  6. Impact: The con ict has led to signi cant loss of life, economic devastation, and long-term regional instability. Conclusion: The Iran-Iraq con ict began with territorial and ethnic disputes dating back centuries, escalated through ideological and sectarian confrontations in the 20th century, and remains unresolved due to deep-seated historical grievances and geopolitical rivalries. The geographical signi cance of the Shatt al-Arab Waterway, combined with the complex political and historical context, has made this con ict one of the most protracted and intractable in modern Middle Eastern history. While active hostilities have ceased, the underlying tensions persist, necessitating continued vigilance and diplomatic e orts to prevent future escalations. fl ff fl fl fi fi