So, is there a plausible way we can cause a war between Iraq and Iran in the early seventies? Bonus points if Iraq is the agressor.
( reheated from the VBY-1973 timeline )
06-30-1973
President al-Bakr of Iraq is killed during a failed coup attempt. Vice President Saddam Hussein manages to retain power, and has the plotters executed.
1973-10-23
On the first morning after Ramadan, Iraq launches a surprise invasion of Kuwait. Saddam Hussein has been planning this since he took power earlier in the year, using an ongoing border dispute as justification. Within twenty four hours, three Iraqi divisions have completely routed Kuwaiti forces and forced the Emir to flee to Saudi Arabia.
1973-10-24
The United States, the USSR, and the Arab League all simultaneously condemn Iraq's opportunist attack on Kuwait. Saddam is unmoved.
U.S. forces go to DEFCON 3 status. A carrier group, led by the USS Hancock, is dispatched towards the Persian Gulf.
Iran quickly redeploys all available forces to defend the Iraqi border.
1973-11-18 A war-weary Congress refuses to declare war against Iraq.
1973-11-24 The President initiates Plan B: a joint US-Iranian operation, with U.S. forces from the 82nd Airborne and 3rd MEF clearing out Kuwait and parts of the Shatt-al-Arab during the timespan allowed by the War Powers Act, followed by Iranian occupation.