KEY EVENTS IN THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR

Here is a chronology of the war between Iran and Iraq:

1980 Sept. 7--Iraqi President Saddam Hussein claims full sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway. Sept. 19--Iran shells Iraqi side of Shatt al Arab. Sept. 20-23--Iraqi warplanes strike airport in Tehran; army advances to Karun River, several hundred miles into Iran. Sept. 28--U.N. Security Council adopts Resolution 479 calling for a cease-fire. Iran rejects the call. 1981 May-Oct.--Iran counterattacks, eventually pushing Iraqis back across the Karun River. 1982 March 29--Hussein proposes withdrawal to international borders. Iran ignores the offer and continues to advance. 1983 Fighting continues with Iran advancing. 1984 Feb. 29--First reports that Iraq has used chemical weapons. March 27--Iraq attacks tankers bound for Iranian ports. June 11--Iran and Iraq agree to ban on shelling civilian targets. 1985 March--Iran and Iraq fire missiles into each other’s population centers, beginning the “war of cities.” 1986 Aug. 12--For the first time, Iraq bombs Iran’s oil-loading facilities. 1987 Jan. 6--Hussein calls for cease-fire. Iran rejects it again. Jan. 9-14--Iran seizes western bank of Shatt al Arab. July 20--U.N. Security Council unanimously votes for Resolution 598 calling for a cease-fire. 1988 July 18--Iran accepts year-old Security Council Resolution 598. Iraq had accepted it previously. Aug. 20--Cease-fire takes hold. U.N. troops deploy along border. Aug. 25--Indirect Iran-Iraq negotiations begin in Geneva. 1990 Aug. 15--Hussein offers peace settlement to Iran.