Logo: Tanker War

Tanker War

Source From Wikipedia English.
Tanker Wars
Part of the Iran–Iraq War
Date1 February 1984 – 4 August 1988
Location
Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Sea of Oman
Result United Nations Security Council Resolution 598
Belligerents
Tanker War - Wikidata Iran
Supported by:
Tanker War - Wikidata Pakistan		 Tanker War - Wikidata Iraq
Supported by:
Tanker War - Wikidata United States
Tanker War - Wikidata Saudi Arabia
Tanker War - Wikidata Kuwait
Units involved
Iran Iranian Navy
Iran IRGC Navy
Iran Iranian Air Force		 Tanker War - Wikidata Iraqi Navy
Tanker War - Wikidata Iraqi Air Force
Tanker War - Wikidata United States Navy
Tanker War - Wikidata Royal Saudi Air Force

The Tanker War, part of the larger Iran–Iraq War, was a series of military attacks by Iran and Iraq against merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz from 1984 to 1988.

History

Before 1984, attacks against shipping had occurred, albeit on a much smaller scale. In December 1980, UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim appealed to Iran and Iraq to ensure the security of peaceful shipping in the Gulf. At that time, Iran assured other countries that it would keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

Iraq launched the Tanker War in 1984 by attacking the oil terminal and oil tankers at Kharg Island. Iraq's aim in attacking Iranian shipping was to provoke the Iranians to retaliate with extreme measures, such as closing the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic, thereby bringing about foreign intervention against Iran; the United States had threatened several times to intervene if the Strait of Hormuz were closed. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia supported Iraq against Iran. The United States intervened in the conflict in 1986 to protect Kuwaiti tankers, and engaged in a confrontation with Iran.

Both sides had declared an "exclusion zone", meaning areas in which they had warned ships from entering. Iraq declared the area around Iran's Kharg Island to be an exclusion zone. Kharg Island hosted Iran's principal oil shipment port. Iraq gave precise definition, in coordinates, of this exclusion zone and gave advance notification to all countries. However, Iraq did not designate any safe passage routes in this zone.

Iran declared all waters within 40 miles of its coast to be its exclusion zone. It instructed ships headed for non-Iranian ports to sail west of this line. While Iran also did not designate any safe passages in its exclusion zone, this was unnecessary. Iran's exclusion zone allowed for ships to enter and exit the Gulf, and essentially only kept such foreign ships out of its own waters.

Ironically, Iran's exclusion zone made it easier for Iraq to target Iranian ships. It allowed Iraq to assume that any ship in Iran's territorial waters must be going to (or coming from) an Iranian port.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 598, was adopted unanimously on 20 July 1987, which engendered Operation Earnest Will (24 July 1987 – 26 September 1988), a successful United States effort to protect Kuwaiti merchandise and vessels. There were 37 US sailors killed by an Iraqi attack on the USS Stark.

List of attacks

1984

Date Vessel attacked Agent Result Ref
Name Flag GRT/Date
1984-03-01 Charming   United Kingdom Un­known Iraqi missile Un­known
1984-03-01(?) Sema-G   Turkey Un­known Iraqi missile Un­known
1984-03-04 APJ Ambika   India 16000 Iraqi missile Un­known
1984-03-29 Iran Dahr   Iran 12257/71 Iraqi missile damaged
1984-05-27 Savoy Dean   Liberia 19291/68 Iraqi missile minor damage
1984-06-03 Büyük Hun   Turkey 80683/77 Iraqi missiles severe damage
1984-06-03 Giant Kirn   Panama 32107/71 Unidentified missile set afire
1984-06-06 Dashaki   Liberia 19291/68 Iraqi missile severe damage
1984-06-10 Kazimah   Kuwait 160010/82 Unidentified a/c severe damage
1984-06-24 Alexander the Great   Greece 152372/73 Iraqi Exocet missile severe damage
1984-06-27 Tiburón   Liberia 125389/73 Iraqi missile severe damage
1984-07-01 Al Kabeer   Panama 16575/65 Iraqi a/c aground
1984-07-01 Sitia Venture   Panama 15991/66 Iraqi a/c aground
1984-07-01 Alexandra Dyo   Cyprus 13316/69 Iraqi a/c attacked
1984-07-02 Won Jin   South Korea 6164/74 Iraqi missiles severe damage
1984-07-05 Primrose   Liberia 122203/76 Unidentified missiles slight damage
1984-07-10 British Renown   United Kingdom 122203/76 Iranian a/c slight damage
1984-08-18 Endeavour   Panama 47310/76 Unidentified missile set afire
1984-08-24 Amethyst   Cyprus 31280/63 Unidentified missile set afire
1984-08-27 Cleo 1   Panama 20880/59 Unidentified missile set afire
1984-09-11 St. Tobias   Liberia 115025/71 Unidentified missile minor damage
1984-09-12 Good Wind   Panama 11525/70 Iraqi missile set afire
1984-09-16 Med Heron   Liberia 60655/77 Unidentified missile Un­known
1984-09-16 Royal Colombo   South Korea 74474/75 Unidentified missile Un­known
1984-10-08 World Knight   Liberia 114573/75 Iraqi missile severe damage
1984-10-11 Jag Pari   India 20991/82 Iranian (?) bomb minor damage
1984-10-12 Gaz Fountain   Panama 23796/69 Unidentified missile set afire
1984-10-15 Sivand   Iran 108721/71 Iraqi a/c set afire

1985

1986

1987

Date Vessel attacked Agent Result Ref
Name Flag GRT/Date
1987-07-24 SS Bridgeton   United States Iranian mine damaged
1987-08-10 Texaco Caribbean   Panama Iranian mine damaged
1987-08-15 Anita Iranian mine sunk
1987-08-30 Sanandaj   Iran 129770/73 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-09-01 Astro Pegasus   South Korea 42510/75 Iranian w/s g/f damaged
1987-09-01 Bigorange XIV   Panama 197/56 Iraqi a/c sunk
1987-09-01 Munguia   Spain 140277/77 Iranian PG set afire
1987-09-01 Star Ray   Cyprus 99011/70 Iraqi missile damaged
1987-09-02 Nisshin Maru   Japan 103099/80 Iranian PG damaged
1987-09-02 Dafni   Greece 48473/57 Iranian boats set afire
1987-09-02 Diamond Marine   Liberia 101416/74 Iranian boats holed
1987-09-02 Jolly Rubino   Italy 19418/78 Iranian boats minor damage
1987-09-02 Leonidas Glory   Cyprus 3717/73 Iranian boats minor damage
1987-09-09 Haven   Cyprus 109700/73 Iranian PG damaged
1987-09-20 Khark 2   Iran 137895/70 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-09-20 Petroship B   Saudi Arabia 25614/75 Iranian PG minor damage
1987-09-20 Shirvan   Iran 41439/79 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-09-21 Gentle Breeze   British Hong Kong 57462/70 Iranian PG severe damage
1987-09-21 Marissa I   Panama 181/69 Iranian mine sunk
1987-09-27 Coral Cape   Cyprus 112825/74 Iraqi missile (2) damaged
1987-09-27 Iran Sepah   Iran 19702/76 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-09-27 Merlin   Cyprus 110037/71 Iraqi missile (2) damaged
1987-09-27 Shirvan   Iran 41439/79 Iraqi missile damaged
1987-09-29 Khark   Iran 127453/73 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-09-29 Koriana   Greece 38629/85 Iranian w/s slight damage
1987-09-30 Western City   Liberia 105803/75 Iranian PGs minor damage
1987-10-01 Nichiharu Maru   Japan 120694/73 Iranian PGs minor damage
1987-10-01 Johar   Pakistan 49635/76 Iranian PGs minor damage
1987-10-01 Shenton Bluff   Australia 150/79 Iraqi missile severe damage
1987-10-02 Felicity   Cyprus 53226/68 Iraqi missile set afire
1987-10-02 Spic Emerald   India 11712/83 Iranian PG set afire
1987-10-05 Brazil Star   Panama 77294/72 Iraqi a/c minor damage
1987-10-05 Seawise Giant   Liberia 238558/76 Iraqi a/c minor damage
1987-10-05 Shining Star   Cyprus 128929/71 Iraqi missile severe damage
1987-10-05 World Admiral   Liberia 106673/74 Iraqi missile minor damage
1987-10-08 Tomoe 8   Panama 5267/86 Iranian PG set afire
1987-10-10 Rova   Liberia 105286/75 Iraqi missiles severe damage
1987-10-12 Marianthi M.   Panama 13006/65 Iraqi missile damaged
1987-10-13 Atlantic Peace   Liberia 43943/83 Iranian PG g/f minor damage
1987-10-14 Pegasus I   Liberia 104918/73 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-10-15 Sungari   Liberia 124085/75 Iranian missile set afire
1987-10-16 Sea Isle City   United States 55454/81 Iranian missile moderate damage
1987-10-23 Prosperventure L.   Panama 27333/87 Iranian PG set afire
1987-11-04 Taftan   Iran 141883/73 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-11-06 Grand Wisdom   Panama 51121/76 Iranian w/s minor damage
1987-11-11 Fortuneship L.   Greece 118216/75 Iraqi GM (3) damaged
1987-11-11 Liquid Bulk Explorer   Panama 7060/72 Iranian PG slight damage
1987-11-12 Yousef   Iran 584/84 Iraqi a/c hit
1987-11-13 Salvital   Singapore 742/76 Iraqi GM severe damage
1987-11-15 Lucy   Liberia 36512/86 Iranian PG damaged
1987-11-16 Esso Freeport   Bahamas 122967/74 Iranian PGs minor damage
1987-11-16 Filikon L.   Greece 41330/76 Iranian PGs moderate damage
1987-11-19 Salvenus   Singapore 699/78 Iraqi GMs severe damage
1987-11-20 Tabriz   Iran 41440/80 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-11-22 Andromeda   Greece 38627/84 Iranian PG damaged
1987-11-23 Fundulea   Romania 6253/80 Iranian PGs damaged
1987-11-23 Uni-Master   Panama 11648/77 Iranian w/s slight damage
1987-11-26 Umm al Jathathel   Kuwait 47169/83 Iranian w/s Un­known
1987-11-29 Khark 4   Iran 127450/73 Iraqi a/c moderate damage
1987-12-02 Anax   Cyprus 122936/72 Iraqi a/c slight damage
1987-12-04 Actinia   Cyprus 109567/75 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1987-12-06 Estelle Mærsk   Denmark 28010/87 Iranian PGs minor damage
1987-12-06 Norman Atlantic   Singapore 42093/73 Iranian PGs sunk
1987-12-08 Alamoot   Iran 163173/77 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1987-12-09 Susangird   Iran 111287/73 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1987-12-11 Tharaleos   Greece 51372/69 Iranian FF minor damage
1987-12-12 Pivot   Cyprus 109700/75 Iranian FF damaged
1987-12-15 Mimi M.   Cyprus 16246/74 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1987-12-16 Taftan   Iran 141883/73 Iraqi a/c minor damage
1987-12-16 World Produce   Greece 17277/84 Iranian PG moderate damage
1987-12-17 Island Transporter   Maldives 9714/68 Iranian PGs damaged
1987-12-18 Free Enterprise   Malta 113780/72 Iraqi a/c went aground
1987-12-18 Happy Kari   Norway 140227/74 Iranian PGs set afire
1987-12-18 Saudi Splendour   Liberia 125394/75 Iranian PG moderate damage
1987-12-19 Karama Mærsk   Denmark 167728/77 Iranian PGs slight damage
1987-12-22 British Respect   Gibraltar 136601/74 Iraqi a/c set afire
1987-12-22 Burmah Enterprise   Bermuda 231629/78 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1987-12-22 Seawise Giant   Liberia 238558/76 Iraqi a/c set afire
1987-12-22 World Petrobras   Liberia 193778/77 Iraqi a/c damaged
1987-12-22 Stena Concordia   Liberia 122199/73 Iranian FF damaged
1987-12-23 Berge Big   Norway 136364/75 Iranian PGs set afire
1987-12-25 Hyundai No. 7   South Korea 11686/78 Iranian PGs set afire
1987-12-25 Nejmat el Petrol   Saudi Arabia 12964/64 Iranian PGs set afire
1987-12-27 Stilikon   Panama 96747/64 Iraqi GM set afire
1987-12-31 Iran Sedaghat   Iran 4474/71 Iraqi a/c decoy

1988

1988-03-28 to 1988-08-04
Date Vessel attacked Agent Result Ref
Name Flag GRT/Date
1988-03-28 Karama Mærsk   Denmark 167728/77 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-03-28 Golar Kansai   Liberia 98905/72 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-03-30 Anax   Cyprus 122936/72 Iraqi a/c disabled
1988-03-31 Haven   Cyprus 109700/73 Iraqi FF aground
1988-04-12 Sagheera   Saudi Arabia 20817/81 Iranian PGs set afire
1988-04-18 Omnium Pride   Cyprus 13858/71 Iranian PGs set afire
1988-04-18 Willi Tide   United States 283/79 Iran attacked
1988-04-18 York Marine   British Hong Kong 60814/75 Iranian w/s set afire
1988-04-19 Fal V   United Arab Emirates 7214/72 Iranian PGs damaged
1988-04-24 Sea Trader   Liberia 19482/76 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-05-11 Khark   Iran 116404/75 Iraqi a/c damaged
1988-05-11 Iran Nahad   Iran 11205/70 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1988-05-12 Sea Sapphire   Panama 11205/70 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1988-05-14 Argosy   Cyprus 71080/70 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1988-05-14 Barcelona   Spain 122770/72 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1988-05-14 Beaufort   Belgium 475/78 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1988-05-14 Safir   Belgium 475/78 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1988-05-14 Scan Partner   Panama 499/79 Iraqi a/c sunk
1988-05-14 Seawise Giant   Liberia 238558/79 Iraqi a/c severe damage
1988-05-14 Burmah Endeavour   Bahamas 231269/77 Iraqi a/c minor damage
1988-05-16 Bisoton   Iran 112445/72 Iraqi a/c minor damage
1988-05-18 Ace Chemi   Panama 112445/72 Iranian PGs set afire
1988-05-19 Barge Strand   Norway 43849/82 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-05-26 Mundogas Rio   Liberia 12251/67 Iranian PGs damaged
1988-05-26 Don Miguel   Malta 10526/76 Iranian PGs damaged
1988-06-04 Shoush   Iran 113788/72 Iraqi a/c Un­known
1988-06-09 Salverve   Singapore 742/76 Iraqi a/c damaged
1988-06-11 Dhaulagiri   West Germany 7895/82 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-06-11 Esso Demetia   United Kingdom 125293/73 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-06-11 Iran Fallahi   Iran 17716/72 Iraq a/c Un­known
1988-06-14 Neptune Subaru   Singapore 51894/86 Iranian PGs moderate damage
1988-07-01 Khark 4   Iran 127450/73 Iraqi a/c damaged
1988-07-01 Fortuneship L   Greece 118216/75 Iraqi a/c damaged
1988-07-03 Berge Strand   Norway 43849/82 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-07-07 Fellowship L   Greece 118215/74 Iraqi a/c set afire
1988-07-08 Star Ray   Cyprus 107432/70 Iraqi a/c set afire
1988-07-12 Universal Monarch   Panama 40840/81 Iranian PGs damaged
1988-07-15 Sea Victory   Liberia 43456/69 Iranian PGs minor damage
1988-08-04 Berge Lord   Norway 138008/73 Iranian PGs minor damage


Notes

References

Footnotes

Sources

  • Boczek, Boleslaw Adam (1989). "Law of Warfare at Sea and Neutrality:Lessons from the Gulf War". Ocean Development and International Law. 20 (3): 239–271. doi:10.1080/00908328909545892.
  • Leckow, Ross (July 1988). "The Iran-Iraq Conflict in the Gulf: The Law of War Zones". International & Comparative Law Quarterly. 37 (3): 629–644. doi:10.1093/iclqaj/37.3.629.
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1984), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 21 (4), International Naval Research Organization: 396, JSTOR 44891106
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 22 (1), International Naval Research Organization: 51, JSTOR 44888933
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 22 (2), International Naval Research Organization: 145–146, JSTOR 44891147
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 22 (3), International Naval Research Organization: 306, JSTOR 44891192
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 22 (4), International Naval Research Organization: 399, JSTOR 44891899
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 23 (1), International Naval Research Organization: 30, JSTOR 44894586
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 23 (2), International Naval Research Organization: 140, JSTOR 44889022
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 23 (3), International Naval Research Organization: 271, JSTOR 44891948
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 23 (4), International Naval Research Organization: 378, JSTOR 44889078
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1987), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 24 (1), International Naval Research Organization: 71, JSTOR 44889099
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1987), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 24 (2), International Naval Research Organization: 164, JSTOR 44894620
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1987), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 24 (4), International Naval Research Organization: 358, JSTOR 44891264
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1988), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 25 (1), International Naval Research Organization: 37, JSTOR 44889197
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1988), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 25 (2), International Naval Research Organization: 195, JSTOR 44891248
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1988), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 25 (4), International Naval Research Organization: 402, JSTOR 44892028
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1989), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 26 (1), International Naval Research Organization: 83, JSTOR 44892063
  • Wang, Erik B. (1995). "The Iran-Iraq War Revisited: Some Reflections on the Role of International Law". Canadian Yearbook of International Law. 32.
  • Zatarain, Lee Allen (2008). Tanker War: America's First Conflict with Iran, 1987-88. Casemate Publishers. ISBN 9781932033847.

Further reading

  • El-Shazly, Nadia El-Sayed (2016), The Gulf Tanker War: Iran and Iraq's Maritime Swordplay, Springer, ISBN 9781349263042
  • Navias, Martin S.; Hooton, E. R. (1996), Tanker Wars: Assault on Merchant Shipping During the Iran-Iraq Crisis, 1980-88, Bloomsbury Academic, ISBN 9781860640322
  • Walker, George K. (2000), "The Tanker War, 1980-88: Law and Policy", International Law Studies, 74, U.S. Naval War College
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