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Role of the US in the Iran-Iraq War

Role of the US in the Iran-Iraq War. Internationalization of the War. 1986:Tanker War Iran begins attacking tankers in the Gulf Affects shipping in the Persian Gulf. US Begins to Officially Support Iraq. US Intelligence US weapons US escorts of Kuwaiti ships

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Role of the US in the Iran-Iraq War

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  1. Role of the US in the Iran-Iraq War

  2. Internationalization of the War • 1986:Tanker War • Iran begins attacking tankers in the Gulf • Affects shipping in the Persian Gulf

  3. US Begins to Officially Support Iraq • US Intelligence • US weapons • US escorts of Kuwaiti ships • US – led international embargo of arms against Iran

  4. Switching Sides? • Despite Iraq’s historic ties w/ USSR, US supports Iraq against an isolated Iran • Shiites have recently taken American hostages in Lebanon and the US would like them back • US negotiates w/ Israel to sell American arms to Iran in exchange for hostages in Lebanon – apparently had Reagan’s approval • Partially works -

  5. Playing Both Sides • Read the article by William Blum, former CIA agent, turned US gov’t critic • What OTHER role has the US been playing in private?

  6. US Supports Chem Weapons Development • Throughout the mid-80’s US companies are earning lots o’ cash from sales of dangerous chemicals • Chem weapons against international conventions as of 1949 • Chem agents used against Iraqi’s (kurds) by Hussein • Chem agents end up causing Gulf War Syndrome in US vets (denied & debated)

  7. Examples of chemical weapons

  8. The Kurdish Problem • Kurds have long-time desire to have independent state • Some acted on behalf of Iran in Ir-Ir War • Hussein indiscriminately used chem weapons • killed Kurdish Iraqi rebels & civilians • 50-100,000 killed

  9. UN Resolution 598 – WHY NOW? • Cease-fire • No real resolution to the problem • Iraqi missile attacks on Tehran weaken Iran • Iran has questions about future actions of the US

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