The US Role in Initiation, Continuation and Cessation of the Iraqi Baath Regime War against the Islamic Republic of Iran

With manifold political, economic, and security interests in the Persian Gulf region, the United States has constantly practiced an interventionist approach pertaining to the relations between the countries in the region. This approach has turned into action through a wide spectrum of tools such as security treaties, financial aids, arms sales, economic pressure, military involvement, and so forth. Considering the increasing significance of the changing role of the US in regional developments, the present paper employs a qualitative approach to provide an in-depth understanding of the US role in the initiation, continuation, and cessation of the Iraqi Ba’ath regime war (1980–88) against the Islamic Republic of Iran. After conducting a concise and analytical overview on different courses of action taken by the US during war years, the paper puts forth the argument that the US behavior has followed a pendular pattern, creating a regional belt to support Ba’ath regime in Iraq on the one hand, and contain the military and ideological power of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the other. Acting upon an interest-oriented grand strategy, the US unique behavior during the war has been set to ultimately meet the manifold interests of the country in the Persian Gulf region.