September 22 – November 10, 1980 · Khuzestan Theater
September 22 – November 10, 1980
The battle for Khorramshahr — Iran's most important port city — became the bloodiest urban battle since Stalingrad. Iraqi forces, equipped with tanks and artillery, advanced block by block while Iranian defenders — regular army, Revolutionary Guards, and armed civilians — fought back with weapons ranging from anti-tank missiles to kitchen knives. After 35 days of fighting, Iraq captured the city at a cost of 7,000 casualties. Iranians renamed it 'City of Blood.'
Commanders