Iran launches the final assault on Iraqi positions in Khorramshahr

Syria closed its border with Iraq, restricting an important supply route for Baghdad. The move strengthened the practical consequences of Syria’s wartime alignment with Iran.

Syria closed the pipeline carrying Iraqi oil to Mediterranean outlets. Baghdad lost an export route while Iran gained strategic support from an Arab ally.

Iran began the main offensive toward Khorramshahr. Its success depended on coordinated movements by regular army units, Guards, and volunteers through difficult terrain and Iraqi defensive lines....

Iran announced that Mohamed Seddik Benyahia had died while flying to Tehran and accused Iraq of downing the plane. His visit had been connected with mediation efforts.

By mid-May, Iranian forces had pushed Iraqi troops back toward Khorramshahr after weeks of fighting. The advance set up the final assault on the city and made the defense of Iraq’s last major foothold...

Iranian troops entered Khorramshahr and captured thousands of Iraqi soldiers. The city’s recovery became a defining Iranian victory and is commemorated annually in Iran. It restored Iranian control...

In a broadcast interview, Ariel Sharon defended Israeli arms sales to Iran and rejected U.S. criticism. His remarks made the wartime supply relationship a matter of public ministerial debate.

Iraq’s Arab allies urged Iran to consider an apparent reparations offer. Iran continued to demand withdrawal, compensation and an investigation into the war’s origins.

Iran said acceptance of an Iraqi ceasefire offer depended on permission for its forces to cross Iraq toward Lebanon. The condition connected Gulf diplomacy with the Lebanon crisis.

After Iran’s successes, Saddam Hussein announced the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Iranian territory and offered negotiations. Iran’s leaders argued that a ceasefire without accountability,...