European-Iranian War

The European-Iranian War or the Oil Wars, was a military conflict between the European Coalition and the Islamic Republic of Iran between the years of 2051 and 2055 over the stable supply of oil in the Khuzestan region. Ultimately, this war of contradictions, with soldiers drowning in biblical style floods, digging there way through trenches, wouldn't end in victory for either side, but an embarrassing stalemate. This conflict would also change the force of geopolitics throughout the rest of the world, becoming the catalyst for the next global conflict. 
== Background ==
=== United Nations Civil War Timeline ===
The European-Iranian War has backgrounds that started with the Great Solar Flare of 2020, which destroyed the world's supplies of modern computer technology. After the Great Solar Flare of 2020, the United States, the Russian Federation, and the Peoples Republic of China suffered political coup de tat's and became Ideologically fanatical states. As a result, these countries started giving more and more demands from resource-rich nations, causing a rift between the two sides. 
In 2049, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Oman, Iraqi Ultranationalists, the Second Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Yemen, and the Syrian Arab Republic formed an economic alliance called the "Opposition Force", or OpFor in English. The OpFor Alliance was created to protect the remaining fields of oil that the Middle East had, and it was designed to show the outside world that their oil was their oil. 
In response to the formation of the OpFor, nations like the United States, Peoples Republic of China, and the Russian Federation simply traded elsewhere, but the European Coalition simply decided to fight back. In response to the OpFor formation, the European Coalition funded the creation of an alliance between Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, and Turkey. The US did nothing to oppose this since the European Coalition and the United States had a fallout some years prior. 
The Iranians were furious, claiming that Western Powers were ganging up on their economic might simply because the Europeans didn't accept the terms of trade. The Europeans fired back saying that Iran was using the same tactics it did before the Solar Flare of 2020 to reclaim the territory of the former Persian Empire. As the oil reserves became more depleted, and the cost began to drive higher and higher, it became evident that something was on the horizon. 
=== Federation-American War Timeline ===
After the end of the Russo-American War in 2027, the world was left in an awkward state of mind. The European Coalition was now occupying the United States, the Russian Federation, and the Peoples Republic of China, and had a virtual monopoly on world governments and world economics, and law and order in the Middle Eastern region had completely broken down. The nations of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, and Lebanon all found themselves virtually obliterated in the fighting between the world powers. Ironically enough, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, and Egypt were the ones who were left almost unaffected, and they all hated each other. 
As the European Coalition continued to assert its authority, the European Coalition began increasing its troop strength and presence in its overseas dominions (New Colonies) in Africa, Southeast Asia, and most importantly, the United Arab Emirates. By this point, the United States had all but left the region to its affairs, leaving a vacuum that could easily be opened up. Thanks to the European Coalition increasingly putting troops in the United Arab Emirates, the Islamic Republic of Iran increasingly criticized the European Coalition and charged higher recoil processing a thorn in the relationship between the two countries. 
In 2036, the United Arab Emirates Government completely collapsed. The resulting rift of the collapse saw the nations of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, and Iraq completely fall apart. The Central Authority governments tried to maintain order, but there was no use. The resulting collapse of the Middle East lead to the rise of groups such as the Peoples Liberation and Resistance, it led to terrorism in Panama, and the complete and total collapse of the single global world economy that the European Coalition had built for itself. 
The situation in the Middle East leads to the eventual Second Great Depression, the War of 2042, and many other economic and political issues. Given the issues, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Egypt, and Israel tried to maintain political and economic stability. Not only centralizing power in their states but starting to charge higher oil prices. As the situation dragged onwards, the prospect of the inevitable seemed to occur. 
=== Beginning ===
==== United Nations Civil War Timeline ====
The European-Iranian War began in February 2051. In this month, Iraq fell into another civil war between the Ultranationalist Rebels and the Iraqi Government. The Saudi Arabian government and the Iranian Government began sending their resources to Southern and Northern Iraq. The United Nations expressed concern over the issue, and the European Coalition responded by sending its troops to monitor the situation. Infuriated by this action, the Islamic Republic of Iran began sending troops to Yemen to support the locals in driving out the Saudi's. The European Coalition responded by shooting down an Iranian troop transport, and in response, Iran declared a "Holy War" against the European Union.
==== Federation-American War timeline ====
In February 2051, a massive sandstorm hit the Khuzestan Province of Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait, the largest of its kind in its history. The resulting Sandstorm crippled the Khuzestan Province, leading to the Iranian Government losing central authority in the province. The European Coalition, struggling to maintain itself, sent its navy to secure the region and restore the trade of oil. The Islamic Republic of Iran panicked and thought that the European Coalition was going to invade the province and restore order. In the chaotic panic that ensued, the Iranian Government decided to take a course of action. 
The Iranian Navy rigged the Persian Gulf with small boats loaded with explosives strait. As the European Union's navy entered the gulf, the Iranians set them off and straight into the side of European Ships sinking four of them, including the aircraft carrier. The European Coalition was furious, and called the act an "Illegal act of war." With this claim, the Islamic Republic of Iran realized there was no way they were going to get themselves out of this one, and realized they had no choice but to declare war against the European Coalition. The European Coalition responded and declared war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. 
== European-Iranian War ==
=== 2051 ===
==== Battle of Umm Qasar ====
The European-Iranian War began in February 2051, with coordinated Iranian offensives in the Persian Gulf. As a part of Operation: Sharktooth, Umm Qasar, a key port in the gulf that was controlled by the European Coalition was first targeted by Iranian Forces. Three Iranian battalions would be used in the operation to hit the Europeans already there. The European Coalitions Krieg Panzer 2nd Regiment tried to defend the city utilizing a series of trenches and the urban environment to their favor. The Battle of Umm Qasar also premiered the first frontline use of new Iranian Technology received from the Federation and the Russian Federation. Despite putting up a fierce resistance, the European Coalition's forces were forced to retreat from Umm Qasar when the Iranian Militaries elite Central Command Group giving chance. 
==== Iranian Invasion of Kuwait ====
After the Battle of Umm Qasar, the Iranian Military rapidly advanced through Iraq and into Kuwait. The Iranian X and II Command Divisions swept through Kuwait, and trapped the European Coalition's 9th Armored Corps in Kuwait City. With the European Coalitions only retreat pathway being blocked by Iranian bombings, the European forces, despite being stuck in the city with no way out, were inspired by General Emil Nikoli and would go on to resist the Iranian forces for over seven days before Iranian reinforcements from the Northern Command Group arrived. Utilizing a swift, V-shaped formation of T-39 Armored Tanks from the Peoples Republic of China, the bolstered Iranian forces managed to break through the sporadic defenses of Iraq. With Eastern Iraq and all of Kuwait under their control, Iranian Forces began advancing on Baghdad.
==== Fall of Iraq ====
It was on April 10th, 2041, the Iranians launched Operation: Thunder; with five Iranian gunship squadrons being utilized to gain air superiority over Iraq. The operation succeeded in establishing air superiority over Iraq, With the loss of air superiority, the European Expeditionary Force holding defensive positions in Iraq capitulated as airdropped regiments from Iranian forces surrounded them. With the road to Baghdad clear, Iranian forces would launch an all-out assault on the city. After eight days of heavy combat within the city, Baghdad fell, and Iraq was officially annexed by Iran. The remaining European Coalition forces were forced to retreat into Turkey, preparing for an eventual operation to drive Iran out of Iraq for good. 
==== Failed Iranian Invasion of Turkey ====
By the end of 2051, the Iranians had made significant gains across the Middle East. The Iranians would further gain political support from both Pakistan and the de facto government of Afghanistan, attempting to break through into Turkey. The Turkish cities of Van and Mt. Ararat, Iranian forces were halted by a small European Coalition company holding out for over a month. Despite being significantly outnumbered, the Iranian forces at Van and Mt. Ararat were able to severely deplete the defending European Coalition divisions. This effort was due in large part to the Iranian ability to make promises with the remaining Kurdish Populations of Turkey to put up effective resistance against the European Coalition forces. The battles of Van and Mt. Ararat would last almost a month until European Forces broke through the Iranian lines, driving them back into Iraq and Iran.
=== 2052 ===
By 2052, with renewed reinforcements arriving into Turkey, the European Command Structure decided to launch attacks against Iranian Shipping. Seizing Iranian Ships in the Red Sea and blocking it off from Iranian Shipping. The Iranians responded by attacking European shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. The port of Umm Qasar was utilized as a chief defensive hub for the Iranian Gulf operations. Iranian Commando units utilizing the resources supplied by the Peoples Republic of China were able to by the Iranian Military some time before the European Coalition would eventually attack back. 
==== Operation Valkyrie ====
After the defeat at Van and Mt. Ararat, the stage was set for the European Coalition military to force its way into Iranian Occupied Iraq. In February 2052, the Iranians formed the "Line of Death". A line of defensive trenches along the border between occupied Iraq-Iran, and Turkey. This line was guarded by multiple anti-Aircraft and Anti-Missile Batteries. However, the Europeans decided to employ a different set of moves, and decided to go after Iranian Oil and water supplies in the Caspian Sea in Rasht, Amol, and Sari codenamed, "Operation: Valkyrie". 
The first of these deception attacks took place on July 4th, 2052 in the city of Rasht. The target was to attack Iranian Fresh Water supplies that were coming from the Caspian Sea. Although technically a war crime according to international law, the Europeans went through with it anyways in hopes of creating internal problems in Iran to give the European Coalition an upper hand to fight the war. As the European forces launched these diversionary tactics across the Caspian, the Europeans gathered its forces in the Sinai Peninsula in preparation for a full-scale assault against Iranian Positions across the Middle East. In the meantime however, the European Coalition managed to receive support internationally for there conflict against Iran. Nations such as India, the United Korean Republic, and the United States of America. These financial and military backings from the other nations of the world were able to give the European Coalition much needed ability to fight onward. 
==== Battle of the Strait of Hormuz ====
The primary strategic target of the European Coalitions new offensive was the Iranian controlled Strait of Hormuz. If the European Coalition could capture the strait, the Iranian ability to defend continue to fight the war in the Middle East would be compromised, and the Europeans would face much less resistance in driving the Iranians out of Iraq. On August 1st, 2052, the European Coalition Navy arrived at the Strait of Hormuz to find the Iranian Navy blocking off the Strait. The Europeans had sent there 6th and 3rd Fleets to the strait, with two aircraft carriers. The Iranians on the other hand only had a few battleships from the Peoples Republic of China to defend the strait. The resulting battle was a brutal one, with multiple ships being sunk in the process on both sides. 
==== Operation: Swordbreaker ====
===== Phase 1 =====
After the Battle of the Strait of Hormuz, the Europeans launched the first phase of Operation: Swordbreaker. Four fighter wings from the European Coalition executed a strike mission from the Persian Gulf, attacking multiple Iranian Airfields and and destroying multiple key installations like SAM sites to eliminate anti-air capabilities. The airstrikes were then proceeded by European destroyers firing multiple missile strikes against Iranian positions in both Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran. These most notably included oil facilities, ports, and others to decrease the chances of Iranian retaliation against the European offensives in Iraq. 
===== Phase 2 =====
While the airstrikes and missile strikes over Iranian Positions began, the second phase of the operation began, with an offensive into occupied Iraq. As the Europeans battled it out for air dominance, the European ground forces began assaulting the Iranian defensive positions in Iraqi Kurdistan and other areas. The most important of these hubs was Zakho, Iraq which was occupied by the Iranian 8th Command Regiment. Despite being outnumbered, the EU 5th Corp fought there way through the Iraqi desert with assistance from the Israeli Air Force. With the arrival of the 10th Airborne division, the EU ultimately managed to succeed in capturing the Iranian stronghold of Zakho. 
====== Battle of Mosul ======
The European victory in Operation: Swordbreaker effectively halted the Iranian ability to continue the advance, and by the end of 2052, the Iranians would change there military strategy to controlling vital routes to prevent the Europeans from defeating them entirely. On November 11th, 2052, six Iranian Tank Divisions were attacked by the joint European and Israeli force at the city of Mosul, engaging the European Coalitions 2nd Army group. The fighting at Mosul would continue for over a month. Both the European and Iranian forces utilized the most advanced equipment brought to them, but this fighting would end in the worst way possible. 
====== Collapse of the Mosul Dam ======
On December 15th, 2052, during the increasingly deadly battle of Mosul, the Iranian Air Force made the most desperate gamble of there life, when they launched a missile strike against the Mosul Dam. The Mosul Dam (which isn't the most secure dam in the first place), almost immediately collapsed, and a surge of water began rushing through the holy Tigris River. The European and Iranian militaries battling in Mosul were almost unaware, and leading to a catastrophic loss of life. Up to 700,000 Iraqi Civilians, 30,000 European Soldiers, and 40,000 Iranian Soldiers were all killed in the ensuing flood. This deliberate war crime was protested around the world, but it ultimately did nothing to effect the progress of the European-Iranian War. 
=== 2053 ===
By 2053, the strain of war between the European Coalition and the Islamic Republic of Iran was taking its toll on both nations, and the rest of the world. On the side of Iran, any conventional escalation of the war was impossible. The constant trade of oil resources that the Iranian Government supplied was shriveling up. Furthermore, they had reached there limits with human manpower, and soon labor shortages to fight a war against the European Coalition were made apparent. On the European Coalition side. the conflict had gone on far longer than anyone in the European Coalition had anticipated. The Iranians were fighting tooth and nail to the death, leading to heavy casualties on the side of the European Coalition. Worse still, public support was starting to dwindle, especially after the battle of Mosul. 
After Operation Swordbreaker took place, the Iranian Air Force began launching multiple missile strikes against European Forces in Turkey and Iraq. In January of 2053, the Iranians attempted to bomb the Tel-Aviv Fusion Reactor complex. The power plant was a key energy resource, as it provided a good portion of Israel with clean energy. Both the Europeans and Iranians saw large resource shortages throughout the the war and as result, the European-Iranian War continued to remain mostly a ground war for the first three months of 2053. The EU's 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions established three lines of of offensive, continuously trying to push the line forward against incursions by Iranian Special Forces. By March, more armored and airborne divisions arrived and intensified the conflict. 
==== Operation: Shingle ====
In March of 2053, the European Coalition launched Operation Shingle. The fight would occur in the flat deserts of Western Iraq, with the aim of liberating the Sunni Arab lands of Western Iraq. Expecting the Europeans to go for Baghdad, the Iranians were stunned when the Europeans attacked away from Baghdad. The European Coalition made rapid progress through the vast Syrian and Arabian Deserts, and by June they the Saudi Arabian Border. Halted by the near inhospitable environments of Western Iraq, European forces would turn to the East and focus on attacking the ancient city of Baghdad on July 7th, 2053. Despite the entrenched Iranian forces and urban setting, the European Coalition emerged victorious in the battle of Baghdad, and soon went on to establish a foothold to liberate Kuwait. 
===== Liberation of Kuwait and Iraq =====
Pushing deeper into the vast desert, European forces decided now they had to liberate Kuwait. The small but important nation of Kuwait would be the ticket to giving the European Coalition back control over the the Port of Umm Qasar. Umm Qasar was one of the European Coalitions most important locations, as it served an area that maintained a vital supply of oil in the otherwise lawless region that was the Middle East. By Fall of 2053, the EU had pushed the Iranians back to Kuwait, and now they were ready to attack. Under the cover of Darkness, the Liberation of Kuwait began, with the European Coalition Navy and Air Force bombing Iranian positions throughout the country. Then, with a single push, four European Battalions crossed the border into occupied Kuwait. 
The Battle for Kuwait began with European and Israeli Soldiers attempting to capture key areas from the Iranian Military, such as the city of Abdali. After fighting fiercely to secure Abdali, the Europeans then proceeded through the desert on a southeastern course towards Kuwait city. Along the way, the Europeans encountered the most heavy fighting up to that point, with the Iranians deploying several fighting vehicles, included the revered T-95 Main Battle Tank. After fighting there way through the desert, the Europeans entered the outskirts of Kuwait city. After clearing out Iranian Air Defense Capabilities, multiple squads entered Kuwait City, and soon fierce building to building combat ensued. While fighting in Kuwait city, the Europeans discovered that the Iranians had multiple IED's lying around, making the Europeans have to cautiously make there way through the streets. With the Iranians fighting to the death, the liberation of Kuwait was bloody and costly, but eventually the Europeans came up on top. 
=== 2054 ===
By the year 2054, the European Coalition had driven back the Iranian Military back to the border. However the Iranians were not willing to give in, stating that it was there intention to fight the Europeans all the way till they got to Tehran. The Iranians ordered that every civilian male that was available, some of them as young as 12 to join the Iranian Military in preparation for the defense of there homeland. By this point, the long time supplier of arms to Iran, the Russian Federation and the Peoples Republic of China were enough of the war against the European Coalition, and had begun to demand an end to hostilities, which was rejected flatly rejected on part of the Iranians. 
Meanwhile on the European side, the privations of war were becoming hardened on the Europeans. Although they had support from nations such as the United States of America and the Federation of the Americas, the European coalitions public was starting to be hostile towards the prolonged conflict against the Islamic Republic. When the Iranian Government declared that it was willing to fight the western world until they were willing to crawl there way to Tehran, the European Coalition responded with they were going to do just that, and fight the Iranians all the way to Tehran. This ultimately would captivate in what would become one of the largest military failures in military history. 
==== Siege of the West Azerbaijan Province ====
It was in May of 2054 when the European Coalition responded to the Iranian call to take the fight to Iran. On May 14th, four European armored divisions stormed the Iranian-Turkish Border, aiming at the city if Urmia, and eventually the city of Tabriz. The Europeans felt pretty confident in there chances of achieving victory, and were totally unprepared for the humiliation they were about to receive. The Iranians attacked the Europeans in full force with over 10 divisions, hitting the Europeans head on. It turned out, that new Iranian spy aircraft had noticed the Europeans emassing near the border for the attack, and so had dug in well entrenched positions. As a result, the European Coalition's forces suffered massive casualties, more than any of the estimates that the Europeans had expected. 
By the time the Europeans had reached the city of Urmia three days later, the Europeans had suffered well over 1000 casualties, but they eventually reached the city of Urmia. However, rather than using conventional warfare, the Iranians had rigged multiple buildings with explosives to use as traps against the invading European forces. As a result, the Europeans were bombarded with traps set by the Iranians, leading to heavy casualties. Throughout the 49 Day offensive, the Europeans were bogged down by the most intense fighting of the entire war, leading to the deaths of thousands on both sides. 
==== Retreat from the West Azerbaijan Province ====
After 51 days, in July of 2054, the European Coalition ordered a retreat from the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. The Iranians gave chase to the retreating European forces all the way until they reached back into Turkey. By the end of the offensive, over 2000 fighting vehicles on both sides were lost, and over 300,000 were both confirmed dead on both sides. The European Coalition high command were stunned by the defeat, and as a result, would shoot down any further offensives into Western Iran. Instead, the Europeans simply consolidated there defensive lines they had set up in Iraq, Kuwait, and Turkey, to prevent any further Iranian offensives. This tone would set the rest of the war from this point onwards. 
==== Air attack on Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant ====
On September 22nd, 2054, the Iranian Air Force successfully breached through the European Coalition Air Space, bombing the Turkish built Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The power plant's destruction was a massive catastrophe, as radiation spread throughout the surrounding areas. The bombing of the powerplant by the Iranian Air Force was seemed to be one of the final straws for the Europeans, as they retaliated with there own bombing of Iranian Nuclear Enrichment Facilities. This pattern of bombing one or the other would be the most action scene throughout the remainder of the European-Iranian War. 
==== Attempted bombing of the Atatürk Dam ====
On October 31st, 2054, the Iranian Air Forces attempted to execute a strike mission from the city of Tabriz all the way to the Atatürk Dam in Turkey. The plan was to destroy the dam outright, causing a biblical scale flood that might force the European Coalition into submission. Luckily enough, the Atatürk Dam was surrounded by multiple key installations, including SAM sites and other anti-air capabilities. The Anti-Air emplacements did there job and proceeded to destroy the Iranian threat to the dam. Luckily enough, the European Air Force was able to shoot down the attack aircraft that the Iranians had sent to do the job, and were eliminated accordingly. 
==== Stalemate ====
From October 2054 to April 2055, the European-Iranian War fell into a pattern that was very familiar to anybody who had fought in The Great War. Waves of Iranian soldiers would hurtle themselves at enemy positions, suffering the deaths of hundreds of lives for almost no gains at all. Naturally, the Europeans clung to there defenses with an iron grip, refusing to be dislodged from there defensive fortifications. European and Iranian commanders were unwilling to give anything to the enemy, and were willing to go down wasting precious resources until victory could be achieved. Thus both sides suffered, leading to the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of lives. 
=== 2055 ===
By May of 2055, the European-Iranian War had entered its final stages. On both sides, dwindling resources made any further conventional escalation of the war impossible. Internally, public support had evaporated. The prolonged conflict had traumatized the populations of both nations. However, unlike in Europe whose populations were vocal about there lack of support for the war, the Iranian people were rather quiet about it as not to invoke the rather of there Islamic government. In the European Coalition, soldiers returning home helped spark a growing movement of protests, many of which were forcefully broken up by riot police. Conspiracy theories were starting to run rampant, including that a holy Islamic takeover of the country was imminent. Naturally however, this all would come to a head in June. 
==== June 1st Massacre ====
On June 1st, 2055, over 10,000 protesters marched the streets of the European Coalition Capital. Riot Police were soon dispatched to the scene, leading to a full scale clash. Eventually however, the European Coalition was forced to call in the military. For some unknown reason, the European Soldiers fired upon the crowd of protesters. In a span of a mere 72 seconds, 14 people lay dead on the street. The event became known as "Bloody Tuesday" with many mourning the loss of there loved ones. This seemed to be the straw that would broke the camels back, and the European Coalition began to sue for peace with the Iranian Government. 
==== Peace ====
On October 1st, 2055, the European and Iranian Governments both agreed to a proposed ceasefire agreement under pressure from the world powers. The ceasefire agreement was an agreement to return to prewar boundaries and to end hostilities between there nations. The Iranians agreed to keep exporting oil out of Khuzestan to the other nations of the world, and the European Coalition promised to demilitarize there presence in the region for good. 
== Consequences ==
=== United Nations Civil War ===
After the European-Iranian War came to a close, the death toll came out at a total to roughly 7-10 million people. Despite the ceasefire agreement, it was nearly apparent that the Islamic Republic of Iran despite all the odds had defeated the European Coalition. This defeat lead to public outcry across the nation. The European Coalition's government would eventually fall to an Ultranationalist Takeover in 2058, eventually forming the European Federation in the year 2062 to replace the European Coalition. Nearly four decades later, the European Federation would be dragged into another war, otherwise what would become known as the United Nations Civil War. 
=== Federation-American War ===
By the time the European-Iranian War had finished in October of 2055, 7-10 million people lay dead. Although it was a ceasefire, it had become all apparent that the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite all the odds had defeated the European Coalition. After the conflict, the conflict, the Islamic Republic of Iran's regime popularity soured, with its population celebrating victory over the European Coalition. Meanwhile, the European Coalition would eventually become the European Federation in the year 2055 just before the war officially ended. This ceasefire would remain in effect until the Islamic Republic of Iran would break the agreement during the Federation-American War later on down the line. 
In the aftermath of the European-Iranian War, SPIRE Corporation under the mandate of the United Nations was awarded the prospect of rebuilding the Middle East from the damage it had suffered under the European-Iranian War. SPIRE Corporation rebuilt the region from the ground up, rebuilding the ancient city of Baghdad and other cities to there prestige in barely five years than what any of the local governments in the region had done in 50. SPIRE Corporation would profit immensely off of the European-Iranian War, growing this company to becoming a superpower, more powerful than some nations. However, this wealth that the company would generate from the suffering of the European-Iranian war would eventually leave to a climatic showdown in what would become the War against SPIRE Corporation, and later on the most deadly conflict the human race would ever know theFederation-American War.
Category:Wars