The Iran-Iraq War permanently changed the course of history. This war lasted eight years, from 1980 to 1988. When viewed from a historical perspective, the outbreak of conflicts in 1980 was, in part, just another conflict in the Middle East, caused by border disputes in the twentieth century. However, many observers still believe that Saddam Hussein's ideology of invading Iran was based on his personal motivations.1 Saddam Hussein was interested in Iranian oil refineries and wanted more land. In 1979, Iran became a theocracy when the Islamic revolution took place and the leader was Ayatollah Khomeini. Khomeini and the Islamic republic wanted all Muslim countries to be united and have theocracy as the main form of government.2 The Iran-Iraq war was not a war between two nations but it was a war between two different competing ideas of the leaders.3 . Iranian Islamic leader Ayatollah Khomeini 4. Saddam Hussein the leader of Iraq1. Potter, L., & Sick, G. (2004). Iran, Iraq and the legacy of war, page 212. Iranchamber.com, (2014). Historical personalities of Iran: Ayatollah Khomeini3. Saddam Hussien [photograph]. (2010, August 12).4. Ayatollah Khomeini [Photograph]. (n.d.).The Shatt al-Arab River controversy was formed. This river is divided between Iraq and Iran.5 The Ottoman Empire when in power had authority on both banks, although the Iranian bank was not actually authorized by the Ottomans.6 Due to the strength of Iraq Saddam claimed the Iranian bank of the river. 7 In the 1975 treaty Iraq negotiated and ended up sharing the river with Iran.8 In 1980 Saddam Hussein declared this treaty unacceptable before the war.9 In 1979, there was the birth of a Shiite republic in Iran and since religious point of view ...... middle of paper ...... enormous effect, promoting loyalty and dedication to the newly built system. Before the war began, Iraq had had a tremendous economic boost mainly due to the oil industry. Iraq also had ample regional space and security and stability. The war declined the Iraqi economy and Iraq was forced to borrow enormous amounts from Kuwait. The painful debt owed to Kuwait led to the fall of Saddam Hussein's reign and the international community removed Saddam Hussein from authority in 2003. In conclusion, this war consisted of political, economic and religious theories. The revolution in Iran changed many Iranians' views on religion and how the government should be constituted. Saddam Hussein, despite being a Sunni Muslim, never received support from his own people since he attacked the Kurds (who were Sunni Muslims) in his own country.