Historical point on "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective": The primary trigger for the Iran-Iraq War was the dispute over sovereignty of the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

[Context & Analysis] The Shatt al-Arab forms the border between Iran and Iraq and is strategically vital as the outlet to the Persian Gulf for both countries. The 1975 Algiers Agreement had Iraq recognize the midpoint (thalweg) of the river as the boundary, but Saddam Hussein unilaterally abrogated this agreement on September 17, 1980, five days before invading Iran. [Verdict] Historical fact (Source: The Algiers Agreement of 1975 [UN Peacemaker], Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) [Encyclopaedia Britannica])

Historical point on "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective": Iraq used chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq War, confirmed by UN investigative teams.

[Context & Analysis] UN Secretary-General investigative missions conducted multiple field visits to Iran from 1984 onward and published reports confirming the use of mustard gas and tabun (a nerve agent). The March 1988 attack on the Kurdish town of Halabja killed approximately 5,000 civilians with chemical agents. [Verdict] Official records available (Source: Report of the specialists appointed by the Secretary-General to investigate allegations by the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning the use of chemical weapons (S/16433) [UN Digital Library], Halabja chemical attack [Human Rights Watch])

Historical point on "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective": The United States continued to support Iraq despite knowing about its use of chemical weapons.

[Context & Analysis] Declassified US State Department and National Security Council documents (released 2013) confirm that the Reagan administration was aware of Iraqi chemical weapons use yet continued diplomatic, economic, and intelligence support, prioritizing the containment of Iran. Donald Rumsfeld visited Baghdad as special envoy and met Saddam Hussein in 1983-1984. [Verdict] Official records available (Source: Shaking Hands with Saddam Hussein: The U.S. Tilts toward Iraq, 1980-1984 [National Security Archive, George Washington University])

Historical point on "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective": Total casualties from the Iran-Iraq War are estimated at between 500,000 and over one million dead.

[Context & Analysis] Estimates of the eight-year war's death toll vary widely among scholars. Figures for combined combatant and civilian deaths range from a minimum of 400,000 to over one million. Iran consistently under-reported statistics, framing the count of 'martyrs' as a testament to revolutionary sacrifice rather than a historical record. [Verdict] Estimates vary (Source: Iran-Iraq War [Encyclopaedia Britannica], The Iran-Iraq War: A Military Analysis [RAND Corporation])

Historical point on "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective": UN Security Council Resolution 598 (1987) provided the legal basis for the final ceasefire.

[Context & Analysis] Resolution 598 was adopted unanimously on July 20, 1987, demanding an immediate ceasefire, prisoner-of-war exchanges, and withdrawal to international borders. Iraq accepted almost immediately; Iran delayed acceptance until July 1988. The ceasefire took effect on August 20, 1988, monitored by UNIIMOG. [Verdict] Historical fact (Source: Security Council Resolution 598 (1987) [UN Digital Library])

Historical point on "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective": China exported arms to both Iran and Iraq, profiting from the conflict.

[Context & Analysis] China supplied Iran with F-7 (MiG-21 derivative) fighters, HY-2 Silkworm anti-ship missiles, and other weaponry, while also exporting arms to Iraq. SIPRI's Arms Transfers Database documents these transfers to both belligerents throughout the conflict. [Verdict] Confirmed fact (Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database [Stockholm International Peace Research Institute])

Historical point on "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective": The USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, killing all 290 people aboard.

[Context & Analysis] On July 3, 1988, the US Navy Aegis cruiser USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655 (Airbus A300) over the Strait of Hormuz, killing all 290 passengers and crew. The US paid compensation to the victims' families but did not formally apologize. Analysts consider the incident a factor that accelerated Iran's acceptance of the ceasefire. [Verdict] Historical fact (Source: Iran Air Flight 655 [International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)])

How is "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective" described in China's history textbooks?

China publicly proclaimed "strict neutrality" during the Iran-Iraq War while pragmatically selling arms to both belligerents. Beijing supplied Iran with F-7 fighters and missiles, and also provided weaponry to Iraq, profiting from the prolonged conflict and expanding its foothold in the defense export market. (Source: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs records and China Institute of Contemporary International Relations)

How is "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective" described in Japan's history textbooks?

For Japan, the Iran-Iraq War posed an acute energy security threat. Following the 1973 oil shock, Japan had deepened its dependence on Middle Eastern oil, with both Iran and Iraq serving as major suppliers. The risk of Strait of Hormuz closure loomed over the Japanese economy, and Tokyo watched the "Tanker War" with grave concern. (Source: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs records and Institute of Energy Economics Japan)

How is "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective" described in Iran / Iraq's history textbooks?

## The Iraqi Perspective (Source: Iranian and Iraqi historical records and war memorial archives)

How is "The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective" described in International Community's history textbooks?

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 479 on September 28, 1980, calling for an immediate ceasefire, which both parties rejected. Cold War dynamics paralyzed the Council, with US and Soviet interests pulling in competing directions, preventing effective sanctions. (Source: UN Security Council Resolutions and Secretary-General Reports)

The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective | HistoryDiff

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This project does not aim to criticize or defend any specific historical narrative or nation. We objectively present differences in textbook and official descriptions to encourage multi-faceted understanding.

Archive地域紛争・国際安全保障1980-1988年イラン・イラク国境地帯

The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective

Perspectives Summary

Related Photos2

Iranian soldiers in a frontline trench during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), which saw brutal trench warfare and devastating attrition.

Source: Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain

The strategic city of Khorramshahr in May 1982 after its liberation by Iranian forces, marking a major turning point in the Iran–Iraq War.

Source: Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain

United States / Western World地域紛争・国際安全保障1980-1988年イラン・イラク国境地帯

The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective

Source:US State Department and CIA declassified documents; major US/UK media

Source Nature:

Official Government StatementOriginal Language

The Reagan administration viewed Iran's Islamic Revolution as the foremost threat to Middle Eastern stability, and backed Iraq on the logic that "the enemy of my enemy is a friend." Washington restored full diplomatic relations with Baghdad in 1984 and provided satellite intelligence, agricultural credits, and political cover as Saddam Hussein's forces used chemical weapons — support later confirmed by declassified documents.

The US Navy launched Operation Earnest Will (1987-88), escorting Kuwaiti tankers and effectively intervening on Iraq's side. The USS Vincennes' shootdown of Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, killing 290 civilians, remains a defining symbol of the perilous entanglement.

Britain and France similarly continued arms exports to Iraq throughout the war. This pattern of Western "double standards" — condemning chemical weapons in principle while enabling their use in practice — continues to shape critiques of Western foreign policy credibility.

Perspectives Summary

Item	China	Japan	Iran / Iraq	International Community	United States / Western World
Title	The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective	The Iran-Iraq War: Japan's Perspective	The Iran-Iraq War: Perspectives from Both Sides	The Iran-Iraq War: UN and International Community Perspective	The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective
Category	地域紛争・国際安全保障	地域紛争・国際安全保障	地域紛争・国際安全保障	地域紛争・国際安全保障	地域紛争・国際安全保障
Era	1980-1988年	1980-1988年	1980-1988年	1980-1988年	1980-1988年
Source	Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs records and China Institute of Contemporary International Relations Official Government StatementVia Translation	Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs records and Institute of Energy Economics Japan Official Government StatementVia Translation	Iranian and Iraqi historical records and war memorial archives Historical Archive & TreatyVia Translation	UN Security Council Resolutions and Secretary-General Reports International OrganizationVia Translation	US State Department and CIA declassified documents; major US/UK media Official Government StatementOriginal Language
Excerpt	China publicly proclaimed "strict neutrality" during the Iran-Iraq War while pragmatically selling arms to both belliger…	For Japan, the Iran-Iraq War posed an acute energy security threat. Following the 1973 oil shock, Japan had deepened its…	## The Iraqi Perspective…	The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 479 on September 28, 1980, calling for an immediate ceasefire, which both par…	The Reagan administration viewed Iran's Islamic Revolution as the foremost threat to Middle Eastern stability, and backe…

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Notes on this comparison

This comparison is based on general descriptions from official or widely used history textbooks in each country. While minor nuances may change in translation, the goal is to highlight differences in how major events are perceived, the order of description, and what is emphasized. In particular, notable differences in the naming of events and the background of their occurrence can be seen between "United States / Western World" and "China".

Item

China

Japan

Iran / Iraq

International Community

United States / Western World

Title

The Iran-Iraq War: China's Perspective

The Iran-Iraq War: Japan's Perspective

The Iran-Iraq War: Perspectives from Both Sides

The Iran-Iraq War: UN and International Community Perspective

The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective

HistoryDiff

The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective

The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective

Perspectives Summary

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The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective

The Iran-Iraq War: US and Western Perspective

Perspectives Summary

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Historical Perception & Bias Diagnostic

Guess the Country's Textbook!

Community Notes & Verification

Public Voices

Notes on this comparison