mean if there was no Iraq war? it seems highly unlikely, Iran before that was trying to be more moderate, trying to reach out the West, the War in Iraq really boned that one up, Saddam's hold on Iraq was shaky any war would knock them right over and Saddam knew it, so nether Iran nor Iraq wanted a war, it might happen if Iran found Iraq strongly backing the People's Mujahedin of Iran, something like a major bombing or assassination, but it'd be a short war.