Saddam Hussein also sought to tap into Iranian territory that was rich in oil resources. Lastly, Saddam saw an opportunity to take advantage of Iran's weakened state following the 1979 Iranian Revolution and believed that a quick victory against Iran would solidify his own power within Iraq. Overall, the attack on Iran was a combination of political, strategic, and opportunistic motives on the part of Saddam Hussein.During the Iran-Iraq War, most Western countries, including the United States and many European nations, adopted a neutral or balanced policy, often supplying weapons or financial support to both Iran and Iraq.
