Iran-Iraq War in 1974

While doing research for another project I came across the story of Iran threatening Iraq with war in 1974 and 1975 over the Iraqi response to renewed fighting between the Iraqi Kurds and Baghdad. IOTL Iraq wanted to avoid war with Iran and decided to make peace with the Kurds. With that in mind I have a few questions for those more familiar with the history;

1). How willing was Iran to go to war in 74/75?
2). How well would Iraq fare in such a fight?
3). How would the region and the wider world respond to this conflict?
 
Iraq is going to get its ass handed to it, as it did OTL during the clashes in the Shatt al-Arab in that period. Iran was willing to defend it's position re the Shatt al-Arab, though they weren't going to start things
 

Khanzeer

Banned
The difference in military capability was enormous in 1975 , just my opinion based on looking at military balance 1974-75
 
Might Iran annex territory from Iraq, carve off a Kurdish State, or both?

Would a victory over Iraq boost the prestige of the Iranian regime and push off the revolution?
 

Khanzeer

Banned
Might Iran annex territory from Iraq, carve off a Kurdish State, or both?

Would a victory over Iraq boost the prestige of the Iranian regime and push off the revolution?
Yes but Shah would be not foolish enough to antagonize the arabs so openly
Maybe a regime change restore iraqi monarchy and overthrow Baath
 
Iraq did actually try a limited invasion of Iran right after signing the first of the Algiers accords. Then Phantoms loaded with Mavericks showed up and shattered up the attacking force. Iraq duly forgot any thoughts of not continuing the negotiations or pushing Iran to get better terms.
 
While doing research for another project I came across the story of Iran threatening Iraq with war in 1974 and 1975 over the Iraqi response to renewed fighting between the Iraqi Kurds and Baghdad. IOTL Iraq wanted to avoid war with Iran and decided to make peace with the Kurds.

That's not quite the way I remember it. Iran originally supported the Kurds, partly by shelling with its 175mm guns but at a certain point, around mid 1975, the shah decided to give up the effort and let the Iraqis complete their crushing of the Kurds.

1). How willing was Iran to go to war in 74/75?

Not very eager.

2). How well would Iraq fare in such a fight?

It would've been slaughtered. Note that even in 1980, after the '79 revolution had left the Iranian military in tatters the Iraqis fared poorly. Had war occurred in 1975 with the Iranians in better shape and still enjoying US backing the Iraqis would've been routed.


3). How would the region and the wider world respond to this conflict?

The principal concern of most of the rest of the world would be disruption of oil exports from the gulf. The Soviets and much of the arab world would press for Iran to limit its objectives and not go too far...
 
Top