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.
Tanker wars | |||||||
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Part of the Iran–Iraq War | |||||||
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History
editBefore 1984, attacks against shipping had occurred, albeit on a much smaller scale.[3] In December 1980, UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim appealed to Iran and Iraq to ensure the security of peaceful shipping in the Gulf.[3] At that time, Iran assured other countries that it would keep the Strait of Hormuz open.[3]
Iraq launched the tanker war in 1984[4] by attacking the oil terminal and oil tankers at Kharg Island.[5] 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.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7] Kharg Island hosted Iran's principal oil shipment port.[8] Iraq gave precise definition, in coordinates, of this exclusion zone and gave advance notification to all countries.[9] However, Iraq did not designate any safe passage routes in this zone.[9]
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.[8] 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.[10]
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.[11]
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
edit1984
editDate | Vessel attacked | Agent | Result | Ref | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Flag | GRT/Date | ||||
1984-03-01 | Charming | United Kingdom | Unknown | Iraqi missile | Unknown | [12] |
1984-03-01(?) | Sema-G | Turkey | Unknown | Iraqi missile | Unknown | [12] |
1984-03-04 | APJ Ambika | India | 16000 | Iraqi missile | Unknown | [12] |
1984-03-29 | Iran Dahr | Iran | 12257/71 | Iraqi missile | damaged | [13] |
1984-05-27 | Savoy Dean | Liberia | 19291/68 | Iraqi missile | minor damage | [13] |
1984-06-03 | Büyük Hun | Turkey | 80683/77 | Iraqi missiles | severe damage | [13] |
1984-06-03 | Giant Kirn | Panama | 32107/71 | Unidentified missile | set afire | [14] |
1984-06-06 | Dashaki | Liberia | 19291/68 | Iraqi missile | severe damage | [13] |
1984-06-10 | Kazimah | Kuwait | 160010/82 | Unidentified a/c | severe damage | [13] |
1984-06-24 | Alexander the Great | Greece | 152372/73 | Iraqi Exocet missile | severe damage | [13] |
1984-06-27 | Tiburón | Liberia | 125389/73 | Iraqi missile | severe damage | [13] |
1984-07-01 | Al Kabeer | Panama | 16575/65 | Iraqi a/c | aground | [13] |
1984-07-01 | Sitia Venture | Panama | 15991/66 | Iraqi a/c | aground | [13] |
1984-07-01 | Alexandra Dyo | Cyprus | 13316/69 | Iraqi a/c | attacked | [13] |
1984-07-02 | Won Jin | South Korea | 6164/74 | Iraqi missiles | severe damage | [13] |
1984-07-05 | Primrose | Liberia | 122203/76 | Unidentified missiles | slight damage | [13] |
1984-07-10 | British Renown | United Kingdom | 122203/76 | Iranian a/c | slight damage | [13] |
1984-08-18 | Endeavour | Panama | 47310/76 | Unidentified missile | set afire | [14] |
1984-08-24 | Amethyst | Cyprus | 31280/63 | Unidentified missile | set afire | [14] |
1984-08-27 | Cleo 1 | Panama | 20880/59 | Unidentified missile | set afire | [14] |
1984-09-11 | St. Tobias | Liberia | 115025/71 | Unidentified missile | minor damage | [14] |
1984-09-12 | Good Wind | Panama | 11525/70 | Iraqi missile | set afire | [14] |
1984-09-16 | Med Heron | Liberia | 60655/77 | Unidentified missile | Unknown | [14] |
1984-09-16 | Royal Colombo | South Korea | 74474/75 | Unidentified missile | Unknown | [14] |
1984-10-08 | World Knight | Liberia | 114573/75 | Iraqi missile | severe damage[a] | [14][15] |
1984-10-11 | Jag Pari | India | 20991/82 | Iranian (?) bomb | minor damage | [14][15] |
1984-10-12 | Gaz Fountain | Panama | 23796/69 | Unidentified missile | set afire | [14][16] |
1984-10-15 | Sivand | Iran | 108721/71 | Iraqi a/c | set afire | [14][17] |
1985
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2021) |
1986
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2021) |
1987
editDate | 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 | [18][19][20][21] | |
1987-08-15 | Anita | Iranian mine | sunk | [22][23][24] | ||
1987-08-30 | Sanandaj | Iran | 129770/73 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-01 | Astro Pegasus | South Korea | 42510/75 | Iranian w/s g/f | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-01 | Bigorange XIV | Panama | 197/56 | Iraqi a/c | sunk | [25] |
1987-09-01 | Munguia | Spain | 140277/77 | Iranian PG | set afire | [25] |
1987-09-01 | Star Ray | Cyprus | 99011/70 | Iraqi missile | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-02 | Nisshin Maru | Japan | 103099/80 | Iranian PG | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-02 | Dafni | Greece | 48473/57 | Iranian boats | set afire | [25] |
1987-09-02 | Diamond Marine | Liberia | 101416/74 | Iranian boats | holed | [25] |
1987-09-02 | Jolly Rubino | Italy | 19418/78 | Iranian boats | minor damage | [25] |
1987-09-02 | Leonidas Glory | Cyprus | 3717/73 | Iranian boats | minor damage | [25] |
1987-09-09 | Haven | Cyprus | 109700/73 | Iranian PG | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-20 | Khark 2 | Iran | 137895/70 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-20 | Petroship B | Saudi Arabia | 25614/75 | Iranian PG | minor damage | [25] |
1987-09-20 | Shirvan | Iran | 41439/79 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-21 | Gentle Breeze | British Hong Kong | 57462/70 | Iranian PG | severe damage | [25] |
1987-09-21 | Marissa I | Panama | 181/69 | Iranian mine | sunk | [25] |
1987-09-27 | Coral Cape | Cyprus | 112825/74 | Iraqi missile (2) | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-27 | Iran Sepah | Iran | 19702/76 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-27 | Merlin | Cyprus | 110037/71 | Iraqi missile (2) | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-27 | Shirvan | Iran | 41439/79 | Iraqi missile | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-29 | Khark | Iran | 127453/73 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [25] |
1987-09-29 | Koriana | Greece | 38629/85 | Iranian w/s | slight damage | [25] |
1987-09-30 | Western City | Liberia | 105803/75 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | [25] |
1987-10-01 | Nichiharu Maru | Japan | 120694/73 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | [25] |
1987-10-01 | Johar | Pakistan | 49635/76 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | [25] |
1987-10-01 | Shenton Bluff | Australia | 150/79 | Iraqi missile | severe damage | [25] |
1987-10-02 | Felicity | Cyprus | 53226/68 | Iraqi missile | set afire | [25] |
1987-10-02 | Spic Emerald | India | 11712/83 | Iranian PG | set afire | [25] |
1987-10-05 | Brazil Star | Panama | 77294/72 | Iraqi a/c | minor damage | [25] |
1987-10-05 | Seawise Giant | Liberia | 238558/76 | Iraqi a/c | minor damage | [25] |
1987-10-05 | Shining Star | Cyprus | 128929/71 | Iraqi missile | severe damage | [25] |
1987-10-05 | World Admiral | Liberia | 106673/74 | Iraqi missile | minor damage | [25] |
1987-10-08 | Tomoe 8 | Panama | 5267/86 | Iranian PG | set afire | [25] |
1987-10-10 | Rova | Liberia | 105286/75 | Iraqi missiles | severe damage | [25] |
1987-10-12 | Marianthi M. | Panama | 13006/65 | Iraqi missile | damaged | [25] |
1987-10-13 | Atlantic Peace | Liberia | 43943/83 | Iranian PG g/f | minor damage | [25] |
1987-10-14 | Pegasus I | Liberia | 104918/73 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [25] |
1987-10-15 | Sungari | Liberia | 124085/75 | Iranian missile | set afire | [25] |
1987-10-16 | Sea Isle City | United States | 55454/81 | Iranian missile | moderate damage | [25] |
1987-10-23 | Prosperventure L. | Panama | 27333/87 | Iranian PG | set afire | [25] |
1987-11-04 | Taftan | Iran | 141883/73 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [26] |
1987-11-06 | Grand Wisdom | Panama | 51121/76 | Iranian w/s | minor damage | [26] |
1987-11-11 | Fortuneship L. | Greece | 118216/75 | Iraqi GM (3) | damaged | [26] |
1987-11-11 | Liquid Bulk Explorer | Panama | 7060/72 | Iranian PG | slight damage | [26] |
1987-11-12 | Yousef[b] | Iran | 584/84 | Iraqi a/c | hit | [26] |
1987-11-13 | Salvital[c] | Singapore | 742/76 | Iraqi GM | severe damage | [26] |
1987-11-15 | Lucy | Liberia | 36512/86 | Iranian PG | damaged | [26] |
1987-11-16 | Esso Freeport | Bahamas | 122967/74 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | [26] |
1987-11-16 | Filikon L. | Greece | 41330/76 | Iranian PGs | moderate damage | [26] |
1987-11-19 | Salvenus[c] | Singapore | 699/78 | Iraqi GMs | severe damage | [26] |
1987-11-20 | Tabriz | Iran | 41440/80 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [26] |
1987-11-22 | Andromeda | Greece | 38627/84 | Iranian PG | damaged | [26] |
1987-11-23 | Fundulea | Romania | 6253/80 | Iranian PGs | damaged | [26] |
1987-11-23 | Uni-Master | Panama | 11648/77 | Iranian w/s | slight damage | [26] |
1987-11-26 | Umm al Jathathel | Kuwait | 47169/83 | Iranian w/s | Unknown | [26] |
1987-11-29 | Khark 4 | Iran | 127450/73 | Iraqi a/c | moderate damage | [26] |
1987-12-02 | Anax | Cyprus | 122936/72 | Iraqi a/c | slight damage | [26] |
1987-12-04 | Actinia | Cyprus | 109567/75 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | [26] |
1987-12-06 | Estelle Mærsk | Denmark | 28010/87 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | [26] |
1987-12-06 | Norman Atlantic | Singapore | 42093/73 | Iranian PGs | sunk | [26] |
1987-12-08 | Alamoot | Iran | 163173/77 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | [26] |
1987-12-09 | Susangird | Iran | 111287/73 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | [26] |
1987-12-11 | Tharaleos | Greece | 51372/69 | Iranian FF | minor damage | [26] |
1987-12-12 | Pivot | Cyprus | 109700/75 | Iranian FF | damaged | [26] |
1987-12-15 | Mimi M. | Cyprus | 16246/74 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | [26] |
1987-12-16 | Taftan | Iran | 141883/73 | Iraqi a/c | minor damage | [26] |
1987-12-16 | World Produce | Greece | 17277/84 | Iranian PG | moderate damage | [26] |
1987-12-17 | Island Transporter | Maldives | 9714/68 | Iranian PGs | damaged | [26] |
1987-12-18 | Free Enterprise | Malta | 113780/72 | Iraqi a/c | went aground | [26] |
1987-12-18 | Happy Kari | Norway | 140227/74 | Iranian PGs | set afire | [26] |
1987-12-18 | Saudi Splendour | Liberia | 125394/75 | Iranian PG | moderate damage | [26] |
1987-12-19 | Karama Mærsk | Denmark | 167728/77 | Iranian PGs | slight damage | [26] |
1987-12-22 | British Respect | Gibraltar | 136601/74 | Iraqi a/c | set afire | [26] |
1987-12-22 | Burmah Enterprise | Bermuda | 231629/78 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | [26] |
1987-12-22 | Seawise Giant | Liberia | 238558/76 | Iraqi a/c | set afire | [26] |
1987-12-22 | World Petrobras | Liberia | 193778/77 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | [26] |
1987-12-22 | Stena Concordia | Liberia | 122199/73 | Iranian FF | damaged | [26] |
1987-12-23 | Berge Big | Norway | 136364/75 | Iranian PGs | set afire | [26] |
1987-12-25 | Hyundai No. 7 | South Korea | 11686/78 | Iranian PGs | set afire | [26] |
1987-12-25 | Nejmat el Petrol | Saudi Arabia | 12964/64 | Iranian PGs | set afire | [26] |
1987-12-27 | Stilikon | Panama | 96747/64 | Iraqi GM | set afire | [26] |
1987-12-31 | Iran Sedaghat | Iran | 4474/71 | Iraqi a/c | decoy | [26] |
1988
edit
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Notes
editReferences
editFootnotes
edit- ^ Allam, Shah (October–December 2004). "Iran-Pakistan Relations: Political and Strategic Dimensions" (PDF). Strategic Analysis. 28 (4). The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses: 526. doi:10.1080/09700160408450157. S2CID 154492122. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ Mir, Furrukh (2011). Half Truth. [u.s.]: iUniverse. ISBN 978-1450286459.
- ^ a b c Boczek 1989, p. 244.
- ^ Roach, J. Ashley; Greenwood, Christopher J.; Lagoni, Rainer; Meron, Theodor (20–23 April 1988), "Missiles on Target; The Law of Targeting and the Tanker War", Proceedings of the Annual Meeting (American Society of International Law), 82: 154–169, doi:10.1017/S0272503700072980, JSTOR 25658421, S2CID 159309793
- ^ a b Karsh, Efraim (2002). The Iran–Iraq War: 1980–1988. Osprey Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 978-1-84176-371-2.
- ^ Dudley, William S. (2007), "Navies, Great Powers – United States, 1775 to the Present – The tanker war", in Hattendorf, John J. (ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195130751.001.0001, ISBN 9780195307405
- ^ Leckow 1988, p. 636.
- ^ a b Trainor, Bernard E. (14 August 1987). "GULF RISKS: MINES AND SUICIDE BOATS". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Leckow 1988, p. 637.
- ^ Leckow 1988, p. 639.
- ^ Post 1992, p. 191.
- ^ a b c Herman, Arthur (7 March 1984), "Two cargo ships were hit by Iraqi missiles", United Press International
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Silverstone 1984, 21 (4)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Silverstone 1985b, 22 (2)
- ^ a b "Iranians Bomb Tanker From India in the Gulf", The New York Times, Associated Press, 13 October 1984
- ^ "Liquefied Gas Ship Set Ablaze in Gulf", The New York Times, Reuters, 14 October 1984
- ^ Middleton, Drew (21 October 1984), "Gulf War: Iran's Push is Limited", The New York Times
- ^ Zatarain 2008, p. 91-92.
- ^ "Texaco Supertanker Loaded With Iranian Oil Hits Mine : Cargo Leak, None Hurt, Owner Says". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. 10 August 1987. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Phillips, John (10 August 1987). "A U.S.-operated supertanker hit a mine outside the Persian..." United Press International. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Phillips, John (10 August 1987). "U.S.-run tanker hits mine outside Persian Gulf". United Press International. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Zatarain 2008, p. 92.
- ^ Reed, Jack (15 August 1987). "A mine in the Gulf of Oman sank a..." United Press International. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Jason (16 August 1987). "The amphibious assault carrier USS Guadalcanal has arrived off..." United Press International. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an Silverstone 1988a, 25 (1)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay Silverstone 1988b, 25 (2)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Silverstone 1988c, 25 (4)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Silverstone 1989, 26 (1)
Sources
edit- 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
edit- 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