The aggressor in the Persian Gulf War, which began in August 1990 and lasted until February 1991, was Iraq. The war was triggered when Iraq, under the leadership of President Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. This invasion was motivated by various factors, including Iraq’s desire to control Kuwait’s oil reserves and to cancel debts incurred during the Iran-Iraq War.
The international community quickly condemned the invasion, viewing it as an act of aggression that violated Kuwait’s sovereignty. In response, the United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Iraq and called for its withdrawal from Kuwait. When Iraq failed to comply with these demands, a coalition of forces led by the United States launched Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991, to liberate Kuwait. This military campaign effectively pushed Iraqi forces out of Kuwait by the end of February 1991.
Thus, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait clearly marked it as the aggressor in the conflict, prompting a significant military response from a broad coalition of nations committed to restoring Kuwait’s independence.