adminThe Herald, 18 October, 1980
BAGHDAD. – Tanks and artillery hammered the Iranian oil centre of Abadan yesterday as Iraqi forces slowly moved to seal off the besieged city, site of Iran’s most important oil installations.
Reports from the southern front in the 26-day-old war said Iraqi armoured units were in positions north, east and west of Abadan, while crack infantry units were closing in from the south.
The final battle for Abadan appeared to be still several days away as the defenders of the city put up stiff resistance. According to Teheran Radio, Abadan’s citizens have turned their city into a fortress and were preparing for house-to house combat, reports Iana-Reuter.
Iraqi troops, reports from the front said, were only about 3 km from the city in some places.
Islamic mediator Mr Habib Chatti, making a second attempt to mediate between Iraq and Iran, had talks with President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad on Thursday night and left yesterday. He is due to visit Teheran later.
In London, a senior United Nations official admitted he was totally in the dark about how peace could be achieved. “All options are open, including that of total disappointment,” he told a reporter.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
The Iraq-Iran War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, had profound and lasting effects on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, influencing regional dynamics, national identities, and international relations.
The war exacerbated existing tensions in the region and contributed to a cycle of violence that has persisted for decades. Like all conflicts it led to significant military expenditures by both Iran and Iraq, diverting resources away from social and economic development.
The war intensified sectarian divisions within Iraq and across the region. The predominantly Shia Iranian regime positioned itself as a leader for Shia Muslims, while Iraq’s Sunni leadership under Saddam Hussein sought to suppress Shia identity.
The aftermath of the war saw the emergence and strengthening of various non-state actors in Iraq and beyond.
The war laid the groundwork for long-term animosity between Iran and the United States. US support for Iraq during the conflict was perceived by Iran as an outrage, leading to deep-seated distrust that has shaped US-Iranian relations ever since.
This antagonism has influenced broader Middle Eastern geopolitics, particularly regarding issues like nuclear proliferation and regional security alliances.
Online Reporter