How did Iran's clergy justify their country's devastating eight-year war with Iraq? This is a closely argued and extensively documented study of the rationalization of Iran's war in Islamic theological terms. Examining Iran's conduct up until the ceasefire and its acceptance of Resolution 598 in 1988, Saskia Gieling explains every policy and action of Iran's clerical leaders with reference to the Qur'an, theological writings and tradition, as well as Islamic historical precedent. The concepts of nationalism, the Islamic nation-state, pan-Islamism and international relations are all explored...