Question

Which of the following is a likely reason why the governments of Iran and Iraq have historically had disputes over rights to the Shatt al-Arab?

The Shatt al-Arab is sacred land to both Iranians and Iraqis.
The Shatt al-Arab is rich in potash and phosphates.
The Shatt al-Arab is a strategic waterway.
The Shatt al-Arab is a strategic mountain location.

Answer 1

The Shatt al-Arab is a strategic waterway.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The Shatt al Arab is a river that is 200 km long and is formed by the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris and has a basin area of the 884,000 km. The southern part of this river constitutes a border between Iraq and Iran as it discharges down to the pacific gulf.

• Conflicting territorial claims over the river have been made between Iraq and Iran that is based on the river.

• In 1937 a treaty was recognized to lower the watermarks on the eastern side of the Shatt al-Arab when Iraq got control over the entire waterway that required all the ships in the al-Arab to fly in the Iraqi pilot, and that needed Iran to pay tolls to Iraq.

Answer 2

The Shatt al Arab is a strategic waterway and this among the following statements is a likely reason why the governments of Iran and Iraq have historically had disputes over rights to the Shatt al Arab. The correct option among all the options that are given in the question is the third option.