The conflict between Iran and Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War began mainly over oil resources; however differing religion also played a major factor in this tension. The Iraqi government became unsatisfied with Iran's possession of the Khuzestan province as it was extremely oil-rich--a resource that almost always increases in value. This Khuzestan province was home to many Arabic speaking Iranians. The war broke out in fear that the Shiite revolution that was occurring in Iran would soon spread to Iraq. More tensions added to this religion-based war as both nation claimed territory of the opposing nation. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait were constantly exceeding their OPEC quotas for oil production and--in doing so--were over-producing oil. This resulted in a downfall of oil prices which created Iraq's loss of $7 billion a year. From this extreme loss of money, Iraq then decided to invade Kuwait which marked the beginning of the Gulf War--an entirely oil-based conflict. Iraq then bombed Kuwaits oil fields which remained burning--despite ongoing efforts--until long after the end of the conflict.
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