Fisherman’s War

The Fisherman’s War was a conflict in the 1980s between Iran and Iraq over the strategic Shatt al-Arab waterway, which is vital for both countries’ access to the Persian Gulf. Iran initially sought to control the waterway to assert its sovereignty, while Iraq aimed to maintain control for economic reasons. The war involved naval battles, ground fighting, and attempts to block or disrupt shipping. It ended with a return to pre-war boundaries after international negotiations, highlighting the importance of access to waterways in regional conflicts and the broader struggles for territorial and resource control.