War between Iran and Iraq

War between Iran and Iraq

DigitalGeorgetown Repository

War between Iran and Iraq


Title:	War between Iran and Iraq
Author:	Thomas L. McNaugher (Interviewee); Richard Helms (Interviewee); Krogh, Peter F. (Peter Frederic) (Moderator)
Abstract:	Examines the Iran-Iraq war: as Iran prepares for a possible invasion of Iraq, should the United States become involved?
Description:	In September 1980 Iraq invaded Iran seeking to settle long-standing border disputes. With the aftereffects of the Islamic Revolution still engrossing much of Iran, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein anticipated a quick military victory that would expand his territory and enhance his status as the region's central military power. Saddam miscalculated, however, and the war only increased Iran's revolutionary fervor. While Iran suffered heavy losses at first, gradually the tide turned against Iraq, and by 1984 Iran was amassing its troops on the border in preparation for an invasion. Desperate to turn back Iran, Saddam turned to chemical weapons such as mustard gas, and as the bloody conflict stretched on hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children on both sides of the conflict lost their lives. Fearing that an Iranian victory would disrupt the United States' oil supply, and with the Iranian hostage crisis in the not-so-distant past, Washington began talks with the Iraqi regime over economic and military support. Yet despite concerns over the oil supply, doubts about American involvement in the war remained. In this episode Richard Helms, former U.S. ambassador to Iran and Director of Central Intelligence, and Dr. Thomas McNaugher of the Brookings Institution discuss the Iran-Iraq War and the question of American involvement.
Permanent Link:	http://hdl.handle.net/10822/552703
Date Issued:	1984-03-25
Date Created:	1984-03-25
Subject:	Iraq -- Foreign relations -- Iran ; Iran -- Foreign relations -- Iraq ; Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988 ; Saddam Hussein ; Iran-Iraq War