Part 3/10:
The coming war would not only pit these two nations against each other but also draw in international players, shaping the political landscape of the Middle East for decades. Iraq's ambitions included not just political supremacy over Iran, but also territorial gains, particularly in the resource-rich province of Khuzestan, home to a significant Arab population.
Initial Assault and Plans for Quick Victory
Saddam’s gamble began when he withdrew from a 1975 border agreement, claiming the Shatt al-Arab waterway was historically Iraqi. He initiated the offensive on September 22, 1980, confident that Iraq's superior military equipment, largely courtesy of Soviet support, and initial advantages in troop deployments and numbers would ensure a swift conquest of Iran.