The 1975 Algiers Agreement temporarily resolved the Iran–Iraq border dispute but was abrogated in 1980, directly preceding the eight-year Iran–Iraq War.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 6 March 1975
- Mediating country
- Algeria
- Additional treaties
- 13 June 1975 and 26 December 1975
- Date abrogated
- 17 September 1980 by Iraq
- Key disputed area
- Shatt al-Arab waterway and Khuzestan Province
- Status post-2003
- De jure in force under UNSC Resolution 619
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Ongoing territorial disputes over the Shatt al-Arab waterway and Khuzestan Province, combined with Iraq's military setback in the 1974–1975 Shatt al-Arab conflict, led Iraq to seek a negotiated settlement. Iraq was particularly motivated to end Iran's support for the Iraqi Kurdish rebellion, which was destabilizing the country.
Mediated by Algeria, Iran and Iraq signed the Algiers Agreement on 6 March 1975, settling outstanding border disputes along their shared frontier. The accord established the thalweg line of the Shatt al-Arab as the border and served as the basis for two further bilateral treaties signed later that year.
Iraq abrogated the treaty on 17 September 1980, shortly after the Iranian Revolution, citing renewed cross-border clashes. On 22 September 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, voiding the agreement entirely and triggering the Iran–Iraq War, which lasted eight years. The boundary delimitation nonetheless remains legally binding under international law per UNSC Resolution 619.
Political Outcome
Iran and Iraq settled border disputes along the Shatt al-Arab and Khuzestan; Iraq agreed to halt support for Kurdish rebels in exchange for Iran ending support for Iraqi Kurdish insurgents. The treaty was later abrogated by Iraq in 1980.
Disputed Shatt al-Arab border; Iran supporting Iraqi Kurdish rebellion
Thalweg line established as border; Iraq ended Kurdish rebellion support in exchange