At the time of Second Pahlavi in Iran, after Abd al-KarimQasem's coup d'état in July 14,
1958, and his taking power in Iraq, the relations between Iran and Iraq deteriorated.
The strained relations between these two countries as a result of that coup d'état and the
expansion of pan-Arabism resulted in extremist Arabic tendencies in the political system
of Iraq. In this period, border disputes between the two counties heightened too.
Moreover, because of Iraq's claim of sovereignty over Khouzestan, the formation of
Khouzestan liberation front and the issue of Kurds, ideological problems overshadowed
the relations of these countries as well. Although 17 days after Qasem's coup d'état, the
then regime accorded him recognition, Qasem did not stop his hostile policies against
Iran; not only he would not abide by any border agreements or fulfill the commitments of
the former government of Iraq to Iran on water disputes, he would also make territorial
claims on Kuwait's land and these would increasingly compromise the safety of the
region. Qasem'sgovernment was overthrown in a military coup d'état in 8 February 1963
by a coalition force supporting Jamal Abd al-Naser and Ba'thist party. As a result, Abd al-
Islam 'Aref, who was an advocate of pan-Arabism, became the president of Iraq.Due to
the close relations between 'Aref and Naser and the increasing deterioration of the
relations between the Iranian government and Naser's, Iran and 'Aref's government could
not reach agreement on their disputes.After the murder of Abd al-Islam 'Aref in 1966, his
brother, Abd al-Rahman 'Aref succeeded him as president.