THE WAR BETWEEN IRAQ AND IRAN (1980-1988): A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE DIPLOMATIC ARCHIVES OF ROMANIA

This article examines the developments of the Iraq-Iran War (1980–1988) using primary documents, highlighting how Romania monitored the conflict and adapted its foreign policy within the regional and international context. At the beginning of the 1980s, the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape was strongly shaped by the war, which amplified international instability and complicated the resolution of regional disputes. The conflict destabilized the economies of the Gulf states and disrupted the global oil market, prompting intervention and mediation by the major powers. The study emphasizes the broader regional and international dynamics, while illustrating Romania’s diplomatic adjustments. The consequences of the war were felt long after its conclusion, affecting both regional stability and global economic conditions.