Did War Almost Breakout Between Iran and Iraq?

Fascinating read in the NY Post that says the recent uprisings in Basra weren't really local uprisings but an Iranian led move to try and take over Basra and parts of southern Iraq to control, guess what, the oil fields. Apparently Iran back down after getting surprising resistance from Iraq, I'm guessing backed by the USA.

So, if this happened, why the recent farce in Congress? I'm just asking.