Iraq launches air strikes and a ground invasion of Iran

A CIA daily assessment described Iraq seeking Gulf leadership and stronger ties with Arab monarchies. It identified deteriorating relations with Iran as a constraint on Baghdad’s ambitions.

The Revolutionary Council adopted the legal bill establishing the National Basij organization. This institutional framework preceded the mass volunteer role that developed during the war.

The Majlis approved Mohammad Ali Rajai as prime minister after a dispute over the choice of government. Iran entered the war with executive authority divided between Rajai and President Bani-Sadr.

Iran’s Majlis gave Rajai’s government a confidence vote and approved fourteen nominated ministers. The cabinet was taking shape shortly before Iraq’s full-scale invasion.

Iraq publicly repudiated the treaty and asserted sovereignty over the Shatt al-Arab. The declaration preceded the invasion by five days; Iran viewed it as evidence that the attack was prepared...

The Iranian Air Force struck Iraqi air bases and military infrastructure the day after Iraq’s opening attacks. The operation demonstrated that the revolution had not eliminated Iran’s capacity to...

A U.S. energy memorandum identified India, Brazil and South Korea among buyers of Iranian crude. The assessment shows Iran’s export links as the Iraqi invasion disrupted regional oil flows.

The ICRC appealed to Iran and Iraq through their Geneva missions to respect the four Geneva Conventions, immediately after hostilities began.

The UN Secretary-General forwarded an appeal to the presidents of Iran and Iraq. The diplomatic intervention came two days after Iraq’s invasion, as Iran faced attacks and the loss of border...

Muskie and Gromyko discussed an immediate ceasefire and preventing outside intervention. They disagreed over the U.S. naval presence near Iran and the protection of Gulf shipping.