The Iran-Iraq War and Its Legacy Through the Lens of an Iranian-American Ex-Muslim Christian LDS Conservative
By Bobby Darvish
The Iran-Iraq War, often described as one of the bloodiest and most devastating conflicts in the modern Middle East, left a deep scar on the region. The war, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, destroyed infrastructure, and left both Iran and Iraq in economic and political turmoil. For those of us with Iranian heritage, like myself—an Iranian-American ex-Muslim who has since embraced Christianity and the teachings of the LDS Church—the legacy of this war is personal, painful, and instructive.
The Roots of the Conflict
To understand the Iran-Iraq War, we need to first acknowledge the geopolitical and ideological dynamics that led to this tragic confrontation. Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq, saw an opportunity to strike at Iran during a period of weakness following the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Ayatollah Khomeini’s newly established Islamic regime was vulnerable, and Hussein sought to exploit this weakness to seize disputed territories, such as the Shatt al-Arab waterway, and assert regional dominance. However, the conflict was also deeply rooted in historical and ethnic tensions between Arab and Persian peoples, as well as Sunni and Shia divides within Islam.
As an ex-Muslim, I see how both sides, steeped in Islamic ideology, fueled this unnecessary bloodshed. In the name of God, two nations destroyed each other, sending young men to die for causes that had little to do with faith and everything to do with power. Islam, in both its Sunni and Shia forms, has often served as a tool for authoritarian regimes to manipulate and subjugate their populations, leading to violence and suffering under the guise of religious obligation.
The Personal Impact of the War
I was a child during the Iran-Iraq War. I witnessed the destruction firsthand—the bombings, the fear, and the devastation. I grew up with stories of family members and neighbors who either fought in the war or suffered as civilians caught in the crossfire. One of the most vivid memories I carry from that time is seeing a child die after being run over in the chaos of an air raid. This was just one small moment in a conflict that left millions of Iranians scarred for life.
My family's story, like many others, is one of loss, trauma, and ultimately exile. We fled the oppressive regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, seeking freedom in the United States. It was here that I eventually found Christianity and the LDS Church, a faith that has helped me find peace, purpose, and a sense of belonging. Looking back, I can now see how the Iran-Iraq War was a direct result of the toxic political and religious dynamics within Islam—dynamics that continue to plague the region to this day.
Johnny Harris’ Take on the Iran-Iraq War
Recently, Johnny Harris, a well-known journalist and filmmaker, released a video about the Iran-Iraq War, highlighting its devastating effects and long-term consequences. Harris’ video is insightful and does an excellent job of illustrating the complexities of the conflict. He points out how the war was not just a confrontation between two nations, but also a proxy war with global ramifications, as both the United States and the Soviet Union were involved in arming and supporting different sides at various times.
Harris also touches on the fact that the Iranian regime used the war to consolidate its power, turning Khomeini’s theocracy into a permanent fixture in Iran. This is a key point that resonates with my own experience and observations. The war provided the regime with the perfect pretext to clamp down on dissent, to root out any remaining opposition, and to present itself as the defender of the Iranian nation against foreign aggressors. In this way, the war didn’t just devastate Iran materially—it also cemented the Islamic Republic’s stranglehold on the Iranian people.
Harris’ analysis aligns with my view that the Iran-Iraq War, like much of Iran's recent history, is a testament to the failure of Islamic governance. The Ayatollahs, under the guise of religious leadership, have consistently placed their political ambitions above the well-being of the Iranian people, dragging the country into unnecessary wars and conflicts. What the Iranian people needed then—and still need now—is freedom from the shackles of political Islam.
Reflections as a Christian LDS Conservative
As someone who has left Islam and embraced Christianity, particularly the teachings of the LDS Church, I see the Iran-Iraq War as yet another example of how political Islam has failed the Iranian people. Under the leadership of a false prophet, Khomeini led millions into a war that devastated Iran, all while promising divine rewards for martyrdom. The concept of martyrdom in Islam, particularly Shia Islam, is inherently tied to political manipulation. Khomeini turned this into a national policy, sending young men and boys to clear minefields and fight on the front lines, all in the name of "defending Islam."
In contrast, the teachings of Jesus Christ, as restored through the LDS Church, offer a message of peace, love, and individual agency. As Christians, we are taught that every human life is sacred and that war and violence should be avoided whenever possible. The Iran-Iraq War was a direct consequence of the Islamic leaders’ disregard for the sanctity of life and their obsession with power and control.
The war also highlights the importance of freedom—freedom of religion, freedom from tyranny, and freedom of thought. The Iranian people, much like the Iraqis, have suffered for too long under regimes that use religion as a tool of oppression. My own journey away from Islam and toward Christianity has been a path to personal liberation, and I believe that the same kind of liberation is needed on a national scale for Iran.
Conclusion
The Iran-Iraq War was a tragedy for both Iran and Iraq, but its legacy extends far beyond the battlefield. It was a conflict born out of Islamic ideology, political ambition, and global power struggles. For those of us who lived through it, the war serves as a painful reminder of the destructive power of political Islam and the need for a better way forward. As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian LDS conservative, I believe that the only true path to peace and prosperity is through faith in Jesus Christ and the principles of freedom, individual rights, and respect for human life.
The world must learn from the mistakes of the past, and it is my hope that one day, Iran will be free from the grip of the Islamic Republic and its false prophets, allowing the Iranian people to flourish in peace and freedom once again.
References
- Johnny Harris. The Iran-Iraq War Explained. YouTube, 2024.
- Milton Viorst. Sandcastles: The Arabs in Search of the Modern World. Vintage, 1994.
- Stephen C. Pelletiere. The Iran-Iraq War: Chaos in a Vacuum. Praeger, 1992.
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