What the Iran-Iraq War Tells Us about the Future of the Iran Nuclear Deal

Summary

Western policymakers and scholars have underestimated the Iran-Iraq War’s effect on Iran’s nuclear policy. Iranian histories of the war and interviews with Iranian officials show how the war led Iran to distrust the international system and emphasize self-reliance. Understanding this history can help U.S. and other Western policymakers to ensure that Iran continues to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action limiting its nuclear activities.