Iraq's imposed war on Iran(third level)
The third stage, the re-invasion of Iraq and the end of the war (from mid-April 1988 to August 19th 1988)
Iraq, which after withdrawing from Khorramshahr, had started a wide reconstruction of its combat organization, with the prolongation of the war and Iran's inability to continue effective and efficient operations, entered the field again in the role of an aggressive intruder. On April 28th 1988, the city of Faw fell into the hands of Iraqi forces again. A few days later, Majnoon Islands and Shalamcheh were occupied following the massive attack of Iraqi forces. Iran, pressed by Iraq's all-out invasion, and their attacks on oil platforms and civilian planes on July 17th 1988 in order to end the war, sent a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations and announced its agreement with Resolution 598 of this organization. In this resolution, Iran's minimum demands, including unconditional withdrawal to international borders, determination of the Intruder and payment of war damages, were taken into consideration. But Iraq, finding Iran in a weak position, attacked Sherhani, Zubaydat, and Khorramshahr and advanced as far as Ahvaz. At first, Iraq occupied Sar-e Pol-e-Zahab and Eslam Abad with the help of the followers of Mojahedin-e-Khalgh organization (The Hypocrites), but with the resistance of Iranian forces, was forced to retreat.
Finally, Iraq was forced to accept Resolution 598 on August 5th 1988 and a nationwide ceasefire was established under the supervision of the United Nations from the morning of August 19th 1988.
During the years of war, Iran planned and effected 182 operations against Iraqi forces; Of these, 24 operations were extensive, 30 operations semi-extensive, 54 operations limited, and 74 operations were carried out using guerilla methods.
What the 8 year war brought on Iran included 218,867 martyrs, 399,174 handicapped people, and 44,863 captives, and not to mention the economic losses which were estimated to be one thousand billion dollars. Iraq too had incurred many a loss and damage, namely 400000 Iraqis had got killed and injured, there were 68,830 Iraqis in captivity , and the economic losses amounted to 800 billion dollars.
On Friday, August 26th 1990, the process of exchanging prisoners between the two governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq began and ended after a few days.