Why did the United States go to war in Iraq?

The United States went to war in Iraq in 2003 primarily due to the belief that Saddam Hussein's regime possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) that posed a threat to global security. Additionally, the U.S. aimed to eliminate Hussein's oppressive government, promote democracy in the Middle East, and combat terrorism following the September 11 attacks. Despite extensive searches, no WMDs were found, leading to significant controversy and debate over the war's justification.