It was the case that some of the problems Iraq had with Iran before the war between the two countries were the Shia influence within Iraq, which gave Iran tremendous weighted sway on domestic sentiments which compromised the political authority of Saddam's regime. There was also a situation with a dispute over the border edge of a channel that was strictly strategic for both countries. Iran grew more hostile to Iraq and the leader of Iran wanted the population of Iraq to topple their leader. This, of course, is a threat so it led to a war later.