In the Iran - Iraq War , Saddam claimed that Iraq had the right to hold sovereignty to the east bank of the Shatt al - Arab river held by Iran .
Saddam Hussein 's government sought to annex several territories .
In the Iran - Iraq War , Saddam Hussein claimed that Iraq had the right to hold sovereignty to the east bank of the Shatt al - Arab river held by Iran .
Saddam Hussein 's government sought to annex several territories .