The Iran-Iraq War: Cause or Symptom of Gulf Tensions in 1990?

Introduction:
The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) inflicted immense suffering and instability upon the Gulf region. However, attributing the tensions of 1990 solely to this conflict presents an incomplete picture. This essay argues that while the war undoubtedly exacerbated existing tensions, it was ultimately a symptom of deeper, pre-existing issues that had long plagued the region. Analysing historical context, ideological clashes, power dynamics, and external influences will demonstrate how the Iran-Iraq War itself stemmed from these underlying tensions rather than being their primary cause.

Body Paragraph 1: Historical Grievances and Regional Rivalries

Point: Tensions in the Gulf predate the war, rooted in historical grievances and power struggles that fueled mutual distrust and animosity.
Evidence:
- The Shatt al-Arab waterway, a crucial border between Iran and Iraq, remained a source of contention, with both claiming sovereignty and access rights.
- Centuries-old rivalry between Persia (Iran) and the Arab world, amplified by religious and cultural differences, created a foundation of suspicion.
- The legacy of British imperialism, including the arbitrary drawing of borders in the region, left a legacy of unresolved territorial disputes and political instability.

Body Paragraph 2: Ideological Clashes and the Rise of Revolutionary Iran

Point: The 1979 Iranian Revolution dramatically shifted the regional landscape, intensifying existing ideological clashes and exacerbating tensions.
Evidence:
- Ayatollah Khomeini's vision of revolutionary Shia Islam challenged the existing order in the Gulf, particularly alarming Sunni-majority Arab states.
- Saddam Hussein, fearing the spread of the revolution and seeking to capitalise on regional anxieties, framed the conflict with Iran as a defense of Arab and Sunni interests.
- This ideological struggle transformed the war into a proxy conflict, with various regional and international actors supporting either side, further entangling the Gulf in a web of competing interests.

Body Paragraph 3: Power Dynamics and the Struggle for Regional Hegemony

Point: The Iran-Iraq War became entangled with the ambitions of both nations to assert regional dominance, further fueling conflict and instability.
Evidence:
- Saddam Hussein harbored ambitions of establishing Iraq as the leading power in the Gulf, exploiting the perceived weakness of Iran in the wake of its revolution to launch his 1980 invasion.
- Iran, under Khomeini, sought to export its Islamic revolution and counter Western influence in the region, further raising alarm amongst its neighbours.
- Control over oil resources, crucial to both nations' economies and global energy markets, became a central point of contention and a driving force behind the conflict.

Body Paragraph 4: The Role of External Actors and Superpower Interests

Point: External powers, particularly the United States, played a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the Gulf, often exacerbating existing tensions for their own strategic interests.
Evidence:
- The US, wary of Iran's revolutionary government, provided substantial support to Iraq during the war, including intelligence sharing and military aid.
- The Iran-Contra affair, in which the US secretly sold arms to Iran despite an embargo, highlighted the complex and often contradictory nature of Western involvement in the region.
- The US's unwavering support for Israel, perceived as a threat by many Arab states, further inflamed regional tensions and fostered anti-Western sentiment, indirectly contributing to the escalation of the Iran-Iraq War.

Conclusion:

While the Iran-Iraq War undeniably amplified and inflamed tensions in the Gulf, attributing the events of 1990 solely to this conflict presents an overly simplistic narrative. The war itself emerged from a complex web of pre-existing issues: historical grievances, ideological clashes, power struggles, and manipulative external actors. By 1990, the Gulf region remained deeply scarred by the war's legacy, with heightened mistrust, militarisation, and unresolved disputes. The Iran-Iraq War, therefore, should be viewed as a devastating symptom of deeper-rooted problems, a tragic culmination of long-simmering tensions that continued to plague the Gulf region long after the fighting ceased.