Iran in the 1980s: A Decade of Revolution, War, and Social Turmoil

The Iran-Iraq War, which commenced in 1980 and lasted until 1988, further destabilized the country during the 1980s. Sparked by territorial disputes and fears of the spread of the Iranian revolution, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein launched an invasion of Iran. The war had catastrophic consequences, resulting in immense loss of life—estimates range from 500,000 to over a million casualties—on both sides. The conflict devastated Iran’s economy and infrastructure, leading to widespread poverty and hardship for ordinary citizens.