The Iran-Iraq War: The Most Pointless War of the 20th Century? | PART 3

The Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) was one of the deadliest and longest conflicts in modern history, lasting for eight brutal years and causing over one million casualties. It was a war fought over territory, power, and ideology, with Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invading Iran, expecting a quick victory. However, the war turned into a prolonged trench warfare conflict, reminiscent of World War I, with chemical weapons, airstrikes, and massive ground battles.

This history documentary by History Rumble explores the causes, key battles, and consequences of the Iran-Iraq War, shedding light on a conflict that shaped Middle East geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy, and modern military strategy.
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🔥 Why Did the Iran-Iraq War Happen?

🔹 Saddam Hussein sought to weaken Iran, which had just undergone the 1979 Islamic Revolution under Ayatollah Khomeini.
🔹 Border disputes over the Shatt al-Arab waterway, a critical oil-rich region.
🔹 Western and Gulf state involvement – Countries like the U.S., the Soviet Union, and Saudi Arabia secretly supported Iraq, while Syria and Libya backed Iran.

Despite early gains by Iraqi troops, Iran fought back fiercely, turning the war into an exhausting, drawn-out conflict.
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⚔️ Key Events of the Iran-Iraq War

✔️ Iraq’s Initial Invasion (1980) – Saddam’s forces captured Iranian territory but faced resistance.
✔️ The Battle of Khorramshahr (1980–1981) – A bloody fight that devastated both armies.
✔️ Iran’s Counteroffensive (1982–1984) – Iran pushed Iraq back across the border.
✔️ The Tanker War (1984–1988) – Both nations attacked oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, drawing in global powers.
✔️ Iraq’s Use of Chemical Weapons (1984–1988) – Saddam deployed chemical attacks against Iranian troops and Kurdish civilians.
✔️ The Ceasefire (1988) – After eight years of war, both sides agreed to a UN-brokered truce, but no clear winner emerged.
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🏛️ The Key Figures of the War

✅ Saddam Hussein – The Iraqi dictator who led Iraq’s invasion of Iran and later used chemical weapons.
✅ Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini – The Iranian leader who called for total resistance against Iraq.
✅ George Bush & U.S. Policy – The U.S. aided Iraq while also dealing secretly with Iran (Iran-Contra Affair).
✅ Bashar al-Assad & Syria – Syria was among the few nations that backed Iran against Iraq.

This war reshaped the Middle East, leaving deep divisions between Iran, Iraq, and Western nations.
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🌍 The War’s Lasting Impact

🔹 Set the stage for the Gulf War (1990–1991) – Saddam, burdened by war debt, invaded Kuwait, triggering Operation Desert Storm.
🔹 Iraq’s chemical weapons use shocked the world, Leading to future concerns about weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
🔹 U.S. involvement in the Middle East increased, Eventually leading to the Iraq War (2003) and tensions with Iran.

Many may forget this war, but its effects still shape Middle Eastern politics today.
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📢 Join the Discussion!

📌 What did both sides make the biggest mistakes in the war?
📌 How did this war impact future conflicts like the Gulf War and the Iraq War?
📌 Could the war have been avoided, or was it inevitable?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below! ⚔️🔥
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Видео The Iran-Iraq War: The Most Pointless War of the 20th Century? | PART 3 канала History Rumble