Editing Iran–Iraq War (section)

====Ceasefire proposal====
On 20 June 1982, Saddam announced that he wanted to [[sue for peace]] and proposed an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal from Iranian territory within two weeks.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/10/world/iraq-vows-to-quit-iran-fight-israel.html Iraq Vows to Quit Iran, Fight Israel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116212956/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/10/world/iraq-vows-to-quit-iran-fight-israel.html |date=16 November 2018 }} AP 10 June 1982</ref> Khomeini responded by saying the war would not end until a new government was installed in Iraq and reparations paid.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/22/world/iran-says-iraqis-withdrawal-won-t-end-war.html Iran Says Iraqis' Withdrawal Won't End War ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023202305/http://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/22/world/iran-says-iraqis-withdrawal-won-t-end-war.html |date=23 October 2017}} New York Times 22 June 1982</ref> He proclaimed that Iran would invade Iraq and would not stop until the Ba'ath regime was replaced by an [[Islamic republic]].<ref name=efraimkarsh /><ref name=Viewpoints /> Iran supported a [[government in exile]] for Iraq, the [[Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq]], led by exiled Iraqi cleric [[Mohammad Baqer al-Hakim]], which was dedicated to overthrowing the Ba'ath party. They recruited POWs, dissidents, exiles, and Shias to join the [[Badr Organization|Badr Brigade]], the military wing of the organisation.<ref name="Farrokh 03" />

The decision to invade Iraq was taken after much debate within the Iranian government.<ref name=efraimkarsh /> One faction, comprising Prime Minister [[Mir-Hossein Mousavi]], Foreign Minister [[Ali Akbar Velayati]], President [[Ali Khamenei]],<ref name="mearsheimer02">{{cite web|last1=Mearsheimer|first1=John J.|last2=Walt|first2=Stephen M.|date=12 November 2002|title=Can Saddam Be Contained? History Says Yes|url=http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/3114/can_saddam_be_contained_history_says_yes.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118033437/http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/3114/can_saddam_be_contained_history_says_yes.html|archive-date=18 January 2008|work=International Security|publisher=Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs}}</ref> Army Chief of Staff General Ali Sayad Shirazi as well as Major General Qasem-Ali Zahirnejad, wanted to accept the ceasefire, as most of Iranian soil had been recaptured.<ref name=efraimkarsh /> In particular, General Shirazi and Zahirnejad were both opposed to the invasion of Iraq on logistical grounds, and stated they would consider resigning if "unqualified people continued to meddle with the conduct of the war".<ref name=efraimkarsh />{{rp|38}} Of the opposing view was a hardline faction led by the clerics on the [[Supreme National Security Council|Supreme Defence Council]], whose leader was the politically powerful speaker of the ''[[Majlis of Iran|Majlis]]'', [[Akbar Rafsanjani]].<ref name=efraimkarsh />

Iran also hoped that its attacks would ignite a revolt against Saddam's rule by the Shia and Kurdish population of Iraq, possibly resulting in his downfall. It was successful in doing so with the Kurdish population, but not the Shia.<ref name="Farrokh 03" /> Iran had captured large quantities of Iraqi equipment, enough to create several tank battalions, Iran once again had 1,000 tanks, and also managed to clandestinely procure spare parts as well, including those pertaining to the F-14 Tomcat.<ref name=pollack04 /><ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-16-mn-6838-story.html|title=Navy Theft Ring Linked to Iran Undetected for Years|work=Los Angeles Times|date=1985-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223012608/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-16-mn-6838-story.html|archive-date=2022-12-23}}</ref>

At a cabinet meeting in Baghdad, [[Minister of Health (Iraq)|Minister of Health]] Riyadh Ibrahim Hussein suggested that Saddam could step down temporarily as a way of easing Iran towards a ceasefire, and then afterwards would come back to power. Saddam, annoyed, asked if anyone else in the Cabinet agreed with the Health Minister's idea. When no one raised their hand in support, he escorted Riyadh Hussein to the next room, closed the door, and shot him with his pistol.<ref name=bulloch89 />{{rp|147|date=November 2012}}