Iran-Iraq War (sep 22, 1980 – aug 20, 1988)
Description:
While Iran operated under the branch of Islam known as Shiite, its neighboring country, Iraq, operated under the branch of Islam known as Sunni. Khomeini's promise to "export" revolution threatened Iraq's leader Saddam Hussein, who breaks the previously signed Algiers Agreement by invading Iran.The US supports Iraq throughout the conflict supplying economic aid, training, and technology despite the CIA's uncovering of the use of chemical weapons by Iraqi forces, a breach of the Geneva Protocol of 1925 as a war crime. The US also provided some support to Iran in exchange for hostages during the Iran-Contra Affair.
Around 1 million Iranians and upwards of 500,000 Iraqis are killed during the conflict.
Added to timeline:
Date:
sep 22, 1980
aug 20, 1988
~ 7 years and 10 months