The Iran-Iraq War, also known as the First Persian Gulf War, was a devastating conflict that raged from 1980 to 1988 between the neighboring countries of Iran and Iraq. The war had its roots in a complex web of historical, political, and territorial disputes, including border disputes and longstanding animosities.
However, Iran’s regime, under Ruhollah Khomeini, believed that exporting the Islamic Revolution was a central mission. The war against Iraq was seen as an opportunity to spread the regime’s fundamentalist ideology across the region, particularly among Iraq’s Shia population.
The war provided the Iranian government with a rallying point to unite the nation behind the regime. It helped divert attention from domestic challenges and consolidate power under the Islamic Republic.
It’s worth noting that even after successfully reclaiming Khorramshahr in 1982, the regime remained steadfast in its refusal to accept a ceasefire. Ultimately, the Iranian leadership found itself compelled to make the difficult decision to bring an end to the conflict in 1988, a decision Khomeini described as “drinking from the chalice of poison.”
This protracted war, officially termed the ‘holy defense’ by Iran’s regime, exacted a heavy toll, resulting in the tragic loss of 222,000 lives and leaving 555,000 Iranians with lasting disabilities. Additionally, Iraq bore the brunt of the conflict, with nearly half a million of its citizens becoming victims of the war’s devastation.
At the same time that Khomeini accepted the ceasefire with Iraq, he gave a fatwa for the elimination of all political prisoners, a crime he had been preparing for several years. As a result of Khomeini’s fatwa, more than 30,000 political prisoners, mostly from the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), were executed.
This transformation marked the end of a new generation of activists and progressive people and the young generation who were poised to advocate for the needs and aspirations of post-war society, thereby signifying a significant turning point in the nation’s history.
On the eve of the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war’s commencement, Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the regime, convened a meeting with a group identified as ‘veterans and activists of the holy defense.’ During this gathering, he publicly acknowledged the regime’s efforts to extend its influence across the region, emphasizing that the war had a direct impact on the expansion of Iran’s borders.
Khamenei, who aspires to establish a fundamentalist government and broaden the sphere of influence for the regime, articulated in his address that following the Iran-Iraq war, a ‘frontier of resistance’ was effectively established within the region. He contended that ‘the holy defense’ had not only elevated but also solidified the concept of resistance on a global scale.
Khamenei, who has allocated significant resources from Iran’s national budget to bolster the Quds Force, the overseas branch of the IRGC, with the aim of extending the reach of his governance, attributed the achievements of these efforts, along with the support they garnered, to the broader ‘Iranian nation.’ He asserted that these initiatives, which have left their mark in countries spanning from East Asia to Africa and Latin America, have not only exerted an influence but have also served as models for others.
The regime, which continued eight years of destructive conflict with Iraq, dedicated substantial resources to post-war ‘Holy Defense’ propaganda efforts. Yet, Khamenei emphasized the need for a renewed focus on ‘clarifying the sacred defense’ and urged activists in this domain to promote the regime’s objectives through the creation of ‘artistic works.’
Continuing his steadfast support for the IRGC, Khamenei underscored the significance of the armed forces as a source of pride within society, emphasizing the need to honor and appreciate their contributions.
In his address, Khamenei also asserted that there are external forces with intentions to tarnish the values, honor, and dignity of the armed forces. He stressed the importance of safeguarding these principles from harm. Additionally, despite previous instances where he had encouraged the IRGC to assert themselves, he now urged them to adopt a more humble demeanor.
Khamenei stated, “Power does not inherently contradict the use of good language, kindness, or diplomacy. Soft language often yields more favorable outcomes. At times, an alternative approach may be necessary, but even that approach has its appropriate time and place.”
In his ongoing address, Khamenei claimed ludicrously that the unique system of the Islamic Republic owes its existence to both the efforts of the people and divine intervention. He contended that since its inception, this system has been a target of the ‘enemy,’ which has sought to dismantle it.
Expanding on his claims, Khamenei differentiated between conflicts over border adjustments, such as the war for territorial shifts, and the broader conflict to undermine what he referred to as the ‘identity of a nation.’ He emphasized that the Iran-Iraq war was not merely a border dispute, but a more profound struggle that had implications beyond territorial boundaries.
Khamenei underscored that the Islamic Republic’s perseverance during the war with Iraq was underpinned by the deeply rooted religious convictions of its people. He highlighted that the defenders of the sacred defense were motivated by their faith, and this religious fervor was widespread, with strong support from mosques, religious leaders, speakers, universities, and schools rallying behind the cause of the holy defense.
Khamenei went on to claim that the Iranian nation, through its experiences during the war with Iraq, not only unearthed its untapped capabilities but also gained a profound sense of self-awareness. He explained that by safeguarding the achievements of Iran’s sacred defense, the nation had effectively deterred potential future aggression. Furthermore, he emphasized that such resilience demonstrated that even if an enemy were to instigate an invasion, it wouldn’t signify the ultimate conclusion of the nation’s strength and resolve.
Khamenei urged for the events of the Iran-Iraq war to be passed down to future generations, emphasizing the need to ensure that the rich tapestry of this significant historical period is effectively conveyed. Despite substantial investments in this endeavor, he lamented that the intricate details of this vast and multifaceted tableau of the Iran-Iraq war have not yet been fully elucidated or comprehended.
The intricate tapestry of consequences stemming from the Iran-Iraq war that Khamenei insists on being passed down to future generations extends well beyond the war’s duration. It encompasses the profound destruction of people’s savings, severe damage to economic infrastructures, and a noticeable shift in social classes.
The war’s victims, faced with displacement and job loss, experienced a stratification within society, with some individuals plummeting to lower socioeconomic strata. This process, unfortunately, resulted in a widening gap between different social classes. The presence of urban unrest, exemplified by incidents like those in Eslamshahr in 1995 and others that followed, serves as a poignant indicator of this growing class divide.
