On March 6, 1975, Iran and Iraq announced a significant resolution to their long-standing border dispute through the signing of the Algiers Accord. This landmark agreement aimed to settle contentious territorial issues that had historically strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
The Algiers Accord: A Diplomatic Milestone
The Algiers Accord was a comprehensive agreement brokered with the mediation of Algeria's then-President Houari Boumédiène. The primary objective was to define and demarcate the land and riverine boundaries between Iran and Iraq, particularly focusing on the crucial Shatt al-Arab waterway (Arvand Rud in Persian).
- Key Provisions of the Accord:
- Border Demarcation: The agreement established a definitive land border based on historical protocols.
- Shatt al-Arab Delineation: Crucially, it recognized the thalweg line – the deepest point of the navigable channel – as the official boundary in the Shatt al-Arab waterway. This was a major concession from Iraq, which had previously claimed sovereignty over the entire waterway.
- Non-Interference: Both nations pledged not to interfere in each other's internal affairs.
- Cessation of Support for Dissidents: Iran agreed to cease its support for Kurdish rebels in Iraq, while Iraq committed to ending its backing of Arab separatists in Iran.
Historical Context and Significance
The border dispute, especially concerning the Shatt al-Arab, had been a continuous source of tension between Iran and Iraq for decades. Control over this waterway was vital for shipping and access to the Persian Gulf.
The Algiers Accord was initially hailed as a major diplomatic success that brought a period of stability to the volatile region. It temporarily de-escalated tensions and laid the groundwork for improved bilateral relations. For Iran, it secured navigation rights in the Shatt al-Arab that it had long sought. For Iraq, it meant the cessation of Iranian support for Kurdish insurgents, which had been a significant internal challenge.
However, the peace proved to be fragile. Just five years later, in September 1980, Iraq unilaterally abrogated the Algiers Accord, claiming it had been coerced into signing it. This abrogation was one of the primary justifications cited by Iraq for its invasion of Iran, marking the beginning of the devastating Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), which tragically demonstrated the short-lived nature of the accord's peace.
