More important than the oil, don't forget that Sadam Hussein was funding the suicide bombers in Palestine, he gave a bounty to the families of the suicide bombers. This ticked off the Israelis and was an immediate threat to them. I have not looked up the legislation on the sanctions et al. on Iraq, but there is a high probablity that AIPAC directed our foregin policy on Iraq.
Same thing happening with Iran, Iran supports resistance against Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands thru Hezbo and Hamas. The current sanctions against Iran were designed by the Israeli lobbies. So it is de javu again. Only this time I don't expect us to go to war, at least I hope not. However Iran seems to be in our "face" and is almost provoking a confrontation.