Medal, Post 1945, Peacekeeping, United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observor Group, 1988 - 1991

For centuries, there was conflict between Iran and Iraq, stemming from differences between the Persian and Arab cultures, as well as those between Shia and Sunni Islam. The Iranian Revolution in 1979, which overthrew the Shah, changed the dynamic in the region. Iran's new leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, opposed both the US and Soviet Union. Iraq's President Saddam Hussein was concerned that Iran was interfering in Iraq. After 2 weeks of border skirmishes, Iraqi forces invaded Iran on 22 September 1980.
During the 8-year war, Australia attempted to remain neutral and even-handed. Despite allies like the US and the UK appearing to favour Iraq, the war was not a major focus for Australia.
The UN established the United Nations Iran–Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) on 9 August 1988. This happened after Iran and Iraq agreed to a ceasefire on 20 August. They also agreed the 2 countries would begin talks in Geneva on 25 August 1988.
Conditions in Iran were challenging. Iran had been at war for 8 years and the Iranians disliked having foreign soldiers in their country. On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and withdrew from Iran, ending the war. UNIIMOG didn't resolve the conflict but stopped the fighting until outside events intervened.
Between August 1988 and February 1991, 400 military personnel from 27 countries took part in UNIIMOG. There were 2 detachments, one in Iraq and one in Iran. Australian peacekeepers served on the Iranian side of the border because Iraq had forbidden any Australian peacekeepers from being in its territory. This was because an Australian government scientist, Dr Peter Dunn, had been a member of the UN team that conducted 3 inspections between 1984 and 1987, proving Iraq had used chemical weapons. UNIIMOG's role was to: monitor compliance with the ceasefire; investigate alleged violations and restore the situation; and supervise, verify, and confirm the withdrawal of forces to the international boundary.
On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and President Saddam Hussein withdrew Iraqi forces from the occupied areas of Iran, formally ending the war. UNIIMOG had failed to resolve the conflict, but it had stopped the resumption of fighting until outside events intervened. One Australian observer described UNIIMOG as 'a tactical disaster and a strategic success'.