In a dramatic turn of events, Iraq, under the leadership of President Saddam Hussein, proclaimed it would cease all cooperation with United Nations weapons inspectors. This decision emerged from ongoing disputes regarding the terms and outcomes of the weapons inspections mandated by the UN Security Council, established after the Gulf War. Iraq had faced numerous resolutions demanding the surrender of its weapons of mass destruction, and the inspections were a key mechanism for enforcing compliance. The Iraqi regime argued that the inspections were a guise for Western political agendas and that they infringed upon national sovereignty.

The UN Special Commission (UNSCOM), responsible for monitoring Iraq's disarmament, had been conducting inspections since the aftermath of the Gulf War. Despite some cooperation initially, the relationship soured, with Iraq alleging that the inspections were biased and intended to destabilize the regime rather than ensure disarmament. This culminated in Iraq's announcement, which was met with fierce condemnation by the United States and its allies, who viewed it as a direct challenge to international authority and an indication of Iraq's potential rearmament.

Following the announcement, the United States considered military action against Iraq, raising the stakes in an already volatile region. The decision further complicated diplomatic efforts and led to increased tensions leading into the new millennium, as fears regarding Iraq’s weapons capabilities loomed large over global politics. The United Nations struggled to find a resolution that would ensure Iraq’s compliance while avoiding military confrontation.