ABSTRACT
The war started by Iraq in mid-September 1980 came as a surprise to the Iranian leadership, who nonetheless embraced it as a blessing and an opportunity to test the mettle of the nation, and its religious commitment. If Islam is at stake and Islam is the constituency, Iran cannot freely negotiate bilaterally on the basis of some national interest. If Iran is fighting for the vindication of religious principles, it is difficult to stop the war, for even if victory proves impossible of attainment, Iran is duty-bound to continue. In addition to the dismantling of the armed forces and the prosecution of a desultory campaign against the Kurds, Iran was almost totally self-absorbed. The Iranian leaders’ perception of threats, based on their experience in the revolution and certain ideological baggage which they had collected, bore little resemblance to their actual environment.
