The Iran-Iraq War: Who Really Won And Why It Still Matters

Jackie Quigley DVM 22 Jun 2025

Table of Contents:

Introduction
The Ancient Roots of a Bitter Conflict
The Invasion and Iraq's Early Victories
Iranian Resilience and the Counteroffensive
Stalemate and the Brutal War of Attrition
International Involvement and Regional Dynamics
The Devastating Cost of Conflict
Who Won the Iran-Iraq War? A Complex Verdict
Legacy and Future Relations
Conclusion

Introduction

The Iran-Iraq War, a brutal and protracted conflict that raged for nearly eight years in the 1980s, remains one of the 20th century's most devastating conventional wars. Often overshadowed by later conflicts in the Middle East, understanding who won the Iran-Iraq War is crucial for grasping the region's geopolitical landscape even today. This war, a clash of ideologies, ambitions, and ancient rivalries, left millions dead or wounded, reshaped national identities, and set the stage for future upheavals. But can a war of such immense human cost truly have a "winner" in the traditional sense?

From the surprise invasion by Iraq in September 1980 to the weary ceasefire in 1988, the conflict defied easy categorization. It was a war marked by chemical weapons, human wave attacks, and a profound sense of sacrifice on both sides. As we delve into the complexities of this historical event, we will explore the origins, key phases, and ultimately, the nuanced answer to the perennial question: who truly emerged victorious from the Iran-Iraq War?

The Ancient Roots of a Bitter Conflict

To comprehend the Iran-Iraq War, one must look beyond the immediate triggers of 1980 and acknowledge the deep-seated historical animosities that fueled it. Conflict between the various dynasties that have controlled what is now Iraq, which was for centuries part of a larger Sunni Islamic empire, and Iran (Persia), has ancient foundations, dating at least from Muhammad's rivalry with Persia and from its later imperial clashes. This long history of contention was rooted in religious, ethnic, and territorial differences. Iran, historically Persian and predominantly Shi'ite, stood in contrast to Iraq, an Arab nation with a significant Sunni minority that held power, and a Shi'ite majority population. Border disputes, particularly over the strategically vital Shatt al-Arab waterway, had plagued relations for centuries, leading to numerous skirmishes and uneasy treaties.

These territorial grievances were dramatically exacerbated by ideological differences following Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iraq, under the secular Ba'athist regime of dictator Saddam Hussein, viewed the revolutionary fervor emanating from Tehran, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, as an existential threat. Saddam feared the spread of Iran's revolutionary Shi'ite ideology into Iraq's own Shi'ite majority, which had historically been marginalized. He also harbored ambitions of establishing Iraq as the dominant power in the Persian Gulf, and a seemingly weakened, post-revolutionary Iran appeared to be an opportune target. Saddam sought to reclaim disputed territories, assert Iraqi sovereignty over the Shatt al-Arab, and perhaps most importantly, prevent the "export" of Iran's revolution. This potent mix of historical animosity, territorial disputes, and ideological clash set the stage for a confrontation that would redefine the region and leave an indelible mark on both nations.

The Invasion and Iraq's Early Victories

The long-simmering tensions finally boiled over in September 1980. It began when Iraq invaded Iran on 22 September 1980, after a long history of border disputes and after Iran demanded the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime. The invasion was a full-scale assault across a broad front, catching Iran largely by surprise. The war began when Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini's revolutionary government, believing Iran's military, purged and disorganized after the revolution, would quickly collapse. Saddam anticipated a swift victory, aiming to secure disputed territories, particularly control over the Shatt al-Arab waterway, and to establish Iraq as the undisputed regional hegemon.

Indeed, in the initial weeks and months, Iraq won a few early victories. Iraqi forces advanced rapidly, seizing significant swathes of Iranian territory, including the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, home to a substantial Arab population. Key cities like Khorramshahr fell after fierce resistance, and Abadan was besieged. These early gains seemed to validate Saddam's gamble, leading many international observers to predict a quick Iraqi triumph. The world watched as Iraq's well-equipped and seemingly disciplined army pushed deep into Iranian territory. However, this initial success, while militarily impressive, failed to account for the profound revolutionary spirit and nationalistic fervor that would soon galvanize the Iranian populace, turning Saddam's envisioned swift victory into a protracted and bloody war of attrition.

Iranian Resilience and the Counteroffensive

However, Iran did not give up as Saddam Hussein had expected. Instead, the invasion ignited a powerful wave of nationalistic and religious fervor across Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini issued fervent calls for holy defense, galvanizing millions of Iranians to resist the invasion. The nascent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alongside a rapidly reorganized regular army and vast numbers of volunteer Basij forces, mounted a determined and often fanatical defense. These forces, despite being less conventionally equipped than their Iraqi counterparts, compensated with sheer numbers, revolutionary zeal, and innovative tactics.

Through a series of tenacious counteroffensives, often involving human wave attacks, Iran slowly but surely began to push back the Iraqi invaders. By early 1982, Iranian forces had largely succeeded in expelling Iraqi troops from most of the occupied territories, culminating in the liberation of Khorramshahr in May 1982, a pivotal moment that greatly boosted Iranian morale. Then Iranian forces pushed into Iraq, shifting the war's dynamic entirely. What began as an Iraqi invasion became an Iranian liberation campaign, and then, controversially, an Iranian offensive into Iraqi territory. Iran's objective was no longer merely to repel the invasion but to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime, viewing him as an enemy of Islam and the revolution. This decision to carry the war into Iraq, driven by Ayatollah Khomeini's unwavering resolve—he reportedly declared that Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa declaring that the war must be won by March (referring to a specific period of intensified efforts)—prolonged the conflict significantly and transformed it into a brutal war of attrition, with devastating consequences for both nations and for the overall question of who won the Iran-Iraq War.

Stalemate and the Brutal War of Attrition

For the next five years, from roughly 1983 to 1988, the two sides were evenly matched, locked in a brutal stalemate along the heavily fortified border. This period was characterized by static trench warfare reminiscent of World War I, massive human wave attacks by Iran, and Iraq's increasing and systematic reliance on chemical weapons. Iraq, in violation of international law, deployed mustard gas, sarin, and tabun against Iranian troops and, horrifyingly, against its own Kurdish civilian population in places like Halabja. Both sides suffered immense casualties, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to 1 million or more dead on both sides combined, making it one of the deadliest conflicts of the late 20th century. Cities on both sides of the border, like Basra in Iraq and Abadan in Iran, endured relentless shelling and missile attacks, leading to widespread destruction and civilian suffering.

The war became a grueling test of endurance, national will, and resourcefulness. Iran, with its larger population but weaker economy and international isolation, relied heavily on its revolutionary zeal and sheer numbers of volunteers. Iraq, despite a smaller population, received significant financial and military aid from various international actors, including Gulf Arab states (who feared Iranian revolutionary expansion) and Western powers (who sought to contain Iran). This external support, coupled with Iraq's willingness to use unconventional and brutal tactics, helped Saddam's regime sustain its war effort, preventing a decisive Iranian breakthrough and contributing significantly to the prolonged and bloody stalemate. The sheer scale of the fighting and the lack of decisive territorial gains for either side made the question of who won the Iran-Iraq War increasingly difficult to answer in traditional

Why Money Won’t Give You What You Truly Need | Part 2 - YouTube

Why new Alzheimer's drugs won't be available on the NHS - BBC Sounds

I Won A New Car On The 3rd Qualifiers! - YouTube

HeadlineSphere

The Iran-Iraq War: Who Really Won And Why It Still Matters

Introduction

The Ancient Roots of a Bitter Conflict

The Invasion and Iraq's Early Victories

Iranian Resilience and the Counteroffensive

Stalemate and the Brutal War of Attrition

Detail Author:

Socials

twitter:

linkedin:

facebook: