| Why did the international community expect Iraq to win the war? | Iraq had superior military equipment and foreign support, but its military struggled against Iran's resilience. |
| Why were civilians targeted during the war? | Both sides aimed to weaken morale and disrupt economies, leading to the use of airstrikes and chemical weapons on civilians. |
| What did the war reveal about superior weaponry? | It showed that advanced weapons couldn't guarantee victory against a larger, more determined population like Iran's. |
| How did the war radicalize Iranians? | The war fostered greater support for the Islamic Republic and Shi'ite Islam, as people rallied around the revolution to resist foreign aggression. |
| What was the social impact of the war on Iran? | Over 1 million casualties, large-scale displacement, and long-term psychological trauma. |
| How did the war affect Iran’s economy? | The war cost an estimated $500 billion, damaging oil infrastructure and causing inflation and poverty. |
| What political changes occurred in Iran after the war? | Khomeini's regime strengthened its power, and the IRGC became a dominant political force. |
| How did the war impact Iran’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states? | Saudi Arabia and Gulf states supported Iraq, deepening mistrust and creating regional tensions. |
| How did Turkey react to the war? | Turkey remained neutral but grew wary of Iran’s revolutionary influence on its Kurdish population. |
| What was the result of increased militarization in the region? | Gulf states and the US bolstered military power, further escalating tensions with Iran. |
| How did Iran become diplomatically isolated after the war? | Iran's support for groups like Hezbollah and ties with Syria were its primary means of projecting power. |
| What legacy did the war leave in terms of mistrust? | The war created long-lasting hostility between Iran and Arab nations, contributing to future conflicts. |
| What role did the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) play after the war? | The IRGC became a dominant military and political force within Iran. |
| How did the war affect Iran’s relationships with the West? | Iran faced continued international isolation, especially from Western powers, deepening its resentment of foreign influence. |
| What was the social impact of the war on Iraq? | Over 500,000 casualties, widespread displacement, and long-term trauma, especially from chemical weapons. |
| How did the war affect Iraq’s economy? | Iraq accumulated $80 billion in debt, suffered oil infrastructure damage, and faced inflation and poverty post-war. |
| What political changes occurred in Iraq after the war? | Saddam Hussein consolidated power, using the war to suppress dissent and increase reliance on propaganda. |
| How did the war impact Iraq’s relations with Gulf states? | Strained relations due to Iraq’s debt and its inability to repay, culminating in Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. |
| How did Iraq’s military change after the war? | The military was depleted, despite using chemical weapons, and became more dependent on foreign arms suppliers. |
| What damage did Iraq suffer to its infrastructure? | Extensive destruction to cities, especially Basra, and significant strain on essential services like water and electricity. |
| How did the war affect Iraq’s demographics? | Loss of working-age men, displacement, and overcrowding in cities due to people fleeing war zones. |
| What was the international impact on Iraq post-war? | Iraq became internationally isolated, especially after using chemical weapons and invading Kuwait. |
| How did Saddam Hussein’s regime utilize the war? | The war allowed Saddam to centralize power and portray himself as a strong leader, despite the country’s devastation. |
| What was the long-term impact on Iraq’s regional relations? | Relations with Iran worsened, and ties with Gulf states became strained, contributing to future conflicts. |
