Saddam Hussein's Visit to Imam Reza Shrine: A Diplomatic Gesture Amidst Regional Tensions

Saddam's gesture of visiting the shrine can also be seen as an attempt to alleviate regional concerns about his regime's intentions, given Iraq's predominantly Sunni leadership at the time. It was a calculated move, aiming not just to placate Shia sentiments but also to demonstrate a willingness to engage with Iran on a more culturally sensitive level. This must be understood within the context of the Algiers Agreement signed the following year in 1975, which temporarily resolved border disputes between Iran and Iraq.