The position of the Republic of Iran on the crisis of the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait 1990-1991: Positive neutrality policy

The 1990-91 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait mixed the Middle East politically and militarily, where yesterday's allies became enemies, while enemies became natural. Amid this chaos, Iran had a very sensitive position; from one side, both Iraq and Kuwait were enemies for Iran when the later supported the former during the Iran-Iraq war 1980-88. From another side, although it is not part of the crisis, Iran could not stand still watching the political and demographic change going on next to its borders. The equation of the crisis is complicated for Iran; both sides of the crisis are enemies of Iran, the United States, another enemy of Iran, is leading the coalition to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. Also, the Iranian fear of expanding the influence of Iraq in the region is real. This paper shed a light on the Iranian stance toward the Second Gulf Crisis which was built on the 'Positive Neutrality' when Iran did not support any side of the crisis, however, Iran aimed to weakening Iraq and expelling it from Kuwait without a direct involvement. Iran did not allow for any force attack to be launched from its lands, but it allowed Kuwaitis to mobilize against Iraq which was understood that Iran was in favor of Kuwait.