Tanker war explained

Conflict:Tanker wars
Partof:the Iran–Iraq War
Date:1981 – 4 August 1988
Place:Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Sea of Oman
Result:UNSCR 598
Operation Earnest Will
Combatant1:
Supported by:
Pakistan[1] [2]
Combatant2: Iraq
Supported by:
United States
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Units1: Iranian Navy
IRGC Navy
Iranian Air Force
Units2: Iraqi Navy
Iraqi Air Force
United States Navy
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 1981 to 1988. Iraq was responsible for 283 attacks while Iran accounted for 168.

History

See also: Iran-Iraq War. The Iran-Iraq war began in September 1980.[3] 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.

In his 1988 review paper O'Rouke wrote that "Iran trapped or destroyed many Iraqi ships in port in the early stages of the war. But Iraq started the tanker war in the Gulf proper in 1981 by initiating attacks on ships steaming to or from Iranian ports at the extreme northern end of the Gulf. Iraq continued these attacks into 1984 without a parallel Iranian response at sea. In March of that year, however, Iraq increased the rate of its attacks and expanded their geographic scope by attacking ships serving more southerly Iranian points, particularly the oil-loading complex at Kharg Island. Two months later, Iran initiated its own attacks, and the tanker war became a two-way affair."[3]

Iraq broadened the tanker war in 1984 by attacking the oil terminal and oil tankers at Kharg Island.[4] 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.[5] 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.[5] 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.

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.

Phillips writes that "In January 1987, the Kuwaiti government proposed a clever scheme to deter Iranian attacks against their shipping. They asked the United States if they could reflag Kuwaiti tankers as American and receive the protection of the U.S. Navy. The administration of President Ronald Reagan debated this idea but finally agreed to it on March 7, 1987."[6] These are known to O'Rourke as "reflagged Kuwaiti ships".

On 17 May 1987, 37 US sailors were killed by an Iraqi attack on the USS Stark.

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 US effort to protect Kuwaiti merchandise and vessel, because as noted by O'Rourke: "Aside from Iranian shipping, the most frequent victims have been ships steaming under the world's predominant flags of convenience."[3] Western-led convoy tactics with armed guard vessels were used for protection in the latter stages of the Tanker War.[3] In 1987 the use of towed, radar-deflecting decoys and other passive countermeasures was successfully initiated.[3]

In total, well over 100 sailors were killed and a similar number wounded.[3] More than 30 million tons of cargo was damaged from 1981 through 1987.[3] It is in this conflict that in 1987 Iran perfected the art of speedboat attacks, and concentrated "their fire on the crew compartments of their target ships."[3] Iran also used Chinese-made shore-based Silkworm missiles to good effect.[3]

FlagAttacks sustained[7]
Liberia61
Iran46
Panama41
Cyprus39
Greece26
Malta9
Kuwait8
KSA8
Turkey7
Norway7
Singapore 6
UK6
Japan6
South Korea5
FRG5

List of attacks

1984

DateVessel attackedAgentResult
NameFlagGRT/Date
1984-03-01Charming United KingdomIraqi missile[8]
1984-03-01(?)Sema-G TurkeyIraqi missile[9]
1984-03-04APJ Ambika India16000Iraqi missile[10]
1984-03-29Iran Dahr12257/71 Iraqi missile
1984-05-27Savoy Dean Liberia19291/68Iraqi missile
1984-06-03Büyük Hun Turkey80683/77 Iraqi missiles
1984-06-03Giant Kirn Panama32107/71 Unidentified missile
1984-06-06Dashaki Liberia19291/68Iraqi missile
1984-06-10Kazimah Kuwait160010/82Unidentified a/c
1984-06-24Alexander the Great Greece152372/73 Iraqi Exocet missile
1984-06-27Tiburón Liberia125389/73 Iraqi missile
1984-07-01Al Kabeer Panama16575/65 Iraqi a/c
1984-07-01Sitia Venture Panama15991/66Iraqi a/c
1984-07-01Alexandra Dyo Cyprus13316/69Iraqi a/c
1984-07-02Won Jin6164/74 Iraqi missiles
1984-07-05Primrose Liberia122203/76 Unidentified missiles
1984-07-10British Renown United Kingdom122203/76 Iranian a/c
1984-08-18Endeavour Panama47310/76 Unidentified missile
1984-08-24Amethyst Cyprus31280/63Unidentified missile
1984-08-27Cleo 1 Panama20880/59Unidentified missile
1984-09-11St. Tobias Liberia115025/71Unidentified missile
1984-09-12Good Wind Panama11525/70Iraqi missile
1984-09-16Med Heron Liberia60655/77Unidentified missile
1984-09-16Royal Colombo74474/75Unidentified missile
1984-10-08World Knight Liberia114573/75Iraqi missile
1984-10-11Jag Pari India20991/82Iranian (?) bomb
1984-10-12Gaz Fountain Panama23796/69Unidentified missile
1984-10-15Sivand108721/71Iraqi a/c

1987

See also: USS Stark incident and Bridgeton incident.

DateVessel attackedAgentResult
NameFlagGRT/Date
1987-07-24SS Bridgeton United StatesIranian mine
1987-08-10Texaco Caribbean PanamaIranian mine[11] [12] [13]
1987-08-15AnitaIranian mine[14] [15]
1987-08-30Sanandaj129770/73Iraqi a/c
1987-09-01Astro Pegasus42510/75Iranian w/s g/f
1987-09-01Bigorange XIV Panama197/56Iraqi a/c
1987-09-01Munguia Spain140277/77Iranian PG
1987-09-01Star Ray Cyprus99011/70Iraqi missile
1987-09-02Nisshin Maru Japan103099/80Iranian PG
1987-09-02Dafni Greece48473/57Iranian boats
1987-09-02Diamond Marine Liberia101416/74Iranian boats
1987-09-02Jolly Rubino Italy19418/78Iranian boats
1987-09-02Leonidas Glory Cyprus3717/73Iranian boats
1987-09-09Haven Cyprus109700/73Iranian PG
1987-09-20Khark 2137895/70Iraqi a/c
1987-09-20Petroship B Saudi Arabia25614/75Iranian PG
1987-09-20Shirvan41439/79Iraqi a/c
1987-09-21Gentle Breeze57462/70Iranian PG
1987-09-21Marissa I Panama181/69Iranian mine
1987-09-27Coral Cape Cyprus112825/74Iraqi missile (2)
1987-09-27Iran Sepah19702/76Iraqi a/c
1987-09-27Merlin Cyprus110037/71Iraqi missile (2)
1987-09-27Shirvan41439/79Iraqi missile
1987-09-29Khark127453/73Iraqi a/c
1987-09-29Koriana Greece38629/85Iranian w/s
1987-09-30Western City Liberia105803/75Iranian PGs
1987-10-01Nichiharu Maru Japan120694/73Iranian PGs
1987-10-01Johar Pakistan49635/76Iranian PGs
1987-10-01Shenton Bluff Australia150/79Iraqi missile
1987-10-02Felicity Cyprus53226/68Iraqi missile
1987-10-02Spic Emerald India11712/83Iranian PG
1987-10-05Brazil Star Panama77294/72Iraqi a/c
1987-10-05Seawise Giant Liberia238558/76Iraqi a/c
1987-10-05Shining Star Cyprus128929/71Iraqi missile
1987-10-05World Admiral Liberia106673/74Iraqi missile
1987-10-08Tomoe 8 Panama5267/86Iranian PG
1987-10-10Rova Liberia105286/75Iraqi missiles
1987-10-12Marianthi M. Panama13006/65Iraqi missile
1987-10-13Atlantic Peace Liberia43943/83Iranian PG g/f
1987-10-14Pegasus I Liberia104918/73Iraqi a/c
1987-10-15Sungari Liberia124085/75Iranian missile
1987-10-16Sea Isle City United States55454/81Iranian missile
1987-10-23Prosperventure L. Panama27333/87Iranian PG
1987-11-04Taftan141883/73Iraqi a/c
1987-11-06Grand Wisdom Panama51121/76Iranian w/s
1987-11-11Fortuneship L. Greece118216/75Iraqi GM (3)
1987-11-11Liquid Bulk Explorer Panama7060/72Iranian PG
1987-11-12Yousef584/84Iraqi a/c
1987-11-13Salvital Singapore742/76Iraqi GM
1987-11-15Lucy Liberia36512/86Iranian PG
1987-11-16Esso Freeport Bahamas122967/74Iranian PGs
1987-11-16Filikon L. Greece41330/76Iranian PGs
1987-11-19Salvenus Singapore699/78Iraqi GMs
1987-11-20Tabriz41440/80Iraqi a/c
1987-11-22Andromeda Greece38627/84Iranian PG
1987-11-23Fundulea Romania6253/80Iranian PGs
1987-11-23Uni-Master Panama11648/77Iranian w/s
1987-11-26Umm al Jathathel Kuwait47169/83Iranian w/s
1987-11-29Khark 4127450/73Iraqi a/c
1987-12-02Anax Cyprus122936/72Iraqi a/c
1987-12-04Actinia Cyprus109567/75Iraqi a/c
1987-12-06Estelle Mærsk Denmark28010/87Iranian PGs
1987-12-06Norman Atlantic Singapore42093/73Iranian PGs
1987-12-08Alamoot163173/77Iraqi a/c
1987-12-09Susangird111287/73Iraqi a/c
1987-12-11Tharaleos Greece51372/69Iranian FF
1987-12-12Pivot Cyprus109700/75Iranian FF
1987-12-15Mimi M. Cyprus16246/74Iraqi a/c
1987-12-16Taftan141883/73Iraqi a/c
1987-12-16World Produce Greece17277/84Iranian PG
1987-12-17Island Transporter Maldives9714/68Iranian PGs
1987-12-18Free Enterprise Malta113780/72Iraqi a/c
1987-12-18Happy Kari Norway140227/74Iranian PGs
1987-12-18Saudi Splendour Liberia125394/75Iranian PG
1987-12-19Karama Mærsk Denmark167728/77Iranian PGs
1987-12-22British Respect Gibraltar136601/74Iraqi a/c
1987-12-22Burmah Enterprise Bermuda231629/78Iraqi a/c
1987-12-22Seawise Giant Liberia238558/76Iraqi a/c
1987-12-22World Petrobras Liberia193778/77Iraqi a/c
1987-12-22Stena Concordia Liberia122199/73Iranian FF
1987-12-23Berge Big Norway136364/75Iranian PGs
1987-12-25Hyundai No. 711686/78Iranian PGs
1987-12-25Nejmat el Petrol Saudi Arabia12964/64Iranian PGs
1987-12-27Stilikon Panama96747/64Iraqi GM
1987-12-31Iran Sedaghat4474/71Iraqi a/cdecoy

1988

1988-01-01 to 1988-03-27
DateVessel attackedAgentResult
NameFlagGRT/Date
1988-01-01Alga Malta16134/72Iraqi GM
1988-01-10Khark 3137895/71Iraqi a/c
1988-01-12United Venture Cyprus13161/69Iranian GM
1988-01-14Petrobulk Pioneer Liberia20446/80Iranian w/s
1988-01-15Atlantic Charisma Liberia23127/87Iranian w/s
1988-01-15Igloo Espoo Norway10105/85Iranian PGs
1988-01-16Rainbow Liberia7589/82Iranian PGs
1988-01-22Havpil Singapore10977/69Iranian PG
1988-01-22Topaz Panama85690/76Iranian PGs
1988-01-22Torm Rottina Denmark20036/76Iranian PGs
1988-01-27Coral Cape Cyprus112825/74 Iraqi imissile
1988-01-29Khark116404/75 Iraqi a/c
1988-01-29Khark 5138394/75 Iraqi a/c
1988-01-30Mare Panama9111/72 Iranian PGs
1988-02-03Makran16000/74 Iraqi missile
1988-02-03Petrobulk Ruler Norway20505/75 Iranian PG
1988-02-05Tavistock Panama87464/71 Iranian PGs
1988-02-07Khark 5138394/75 Iraqi a/c
1988-02-07Diane Liberia38241/87 Iranian FF
1988-02-09Shir Kooh140465/73 Iraqi a/c
1988-02-09Veronique Liberia38795/76 Iranian FF
1988-02-11Happy Kari Norway38795/76 Iranian PGs
1988-02-12Kate Mærsk Denmark167207/76 Iraqi a/c
1988-02-15Soleiman1019/84 Iraqi a/c
1988-03-08Tenacity Malta41195/65 Iraqi a/c
1988-03-15Trade Fortitude Liberia113950/72 Iraqi a/c
1988-03-18Berge Lord Norway138008/73 Iranian PGs
1988-03-18Kyrnicos Cyprus41922/67 Iraqi a/c
1988-03-18Maria 2 Panama22845/80 Iranian PGs
1988-03-18Neptune Subaru Singapore22845/80 Iranian PGs
1988-03-19Avaj162028/75 Iraqi a/c
1988-03-19Sanandaj129770/73 Iraqi a/c
1988-03-20Atlantic Peace Liberia43943/83 Iranian PGs
1988-03-21Fumi Liberia36674/84 Iranian PGs
1988-03-21Iberian Reefer Spain7949/85 Iranian PGs
1988-03-22Havglimt Singapore28941/78 Iranian w/s
1988-03-22Stavros G.L. Greece163810/76 Iranian PGs
1988-03-23Odysseas H. Cyprus18876/72 Iranian PGs
1988-03-27Jainarayan Vyas India15035/75 Iranian PGs
1988-03-28 to 1988-08-04
DateVessel attackedAgentResult
NameFlagGRT/Date
1988-03-28Karama Mærsk Denmark167728/77 Iranian PGs
1988-03-28Golar Kansai Liberia98905/72 Iranian PGs
1988-03-30Anax Cyprus122936/72 Iraqi a/c
1988-03-31Haven Cyprus109700/73 Iraqi FF
1988-04-12Sagheera Saudi Arabia20817/81 Iranian PGs
1988-04-18Omnium Pride Cyprus13858/71 Iranian PGs
1988-04-18Willi Tide United States283/79 Iran
1988-04-18York Marine60814/75 Iranian w/s
1988-04-19Fal V United Arab Emirates7214/72 Iranian PGs
1988-04-24Sea Trader Liberia19482/76 Iranian PGs
1988-05-11Khark116404/75 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-11Iran Nahad11205/70 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-12 Sea Sapphire Panama11205/70 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-14Argosy Cyprus71080/70 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-14Barcelona Spain122770/72 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-14Beaufort Belgium475/78 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-14Safir Belgium475/78 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-14Scan Partner Panama499/79 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-14Seawise Giant Liberia238558/79Iraqi a/c
1988-05-14Burmah Endeavour Bahamas231269/77 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-16Bisoton112445/72 Iraqi a/c
1988-05-18Ace Chemi Panama112445/72 Iranian PGs
1988-05-19 Barge Strand Norway43849/82 Iranian PGs
1988-05-26 Mundogas Rio Liberia12251/67 Iranian PGs
1988-05-26 Don Miguel Malta10526/76 Iranian PGs
1988-06-04Shoush113788/72 Iraqi a/c
1988-06-09Salverve Singapore742/76 Iraqi a/c
1988-06-11Dhaulagiri7895/82 Iranian PGs
1988-06-11Esso Demetia United Kingdom125293/73 Iranian PGs
1988-06-11Iran Fallahi17716/72Iraq a/c
1988-06-14Neptune Subaru Singapore51894/86 Iranian PGs
1988-07-01Khark 4127450/73 Iraqi a/c
1988-07-01Fortuneship L Greece118216/75 Iraqi a/c
1988-07-03Berge Strand Norway43849/82 Iranian PGs
1988-07-07Fellowship L Greece118215/74 Iraqi a/c
1988-07-08Star Ray Cyprus107432/70 Iraqi a/c
1988-07-12Universal Monarch Panama40840/81 Iranian PGs
1988-07-15Sea Victory Liberia43456/69 Iranian PGs
1988-08-04Berge Lord Norway138008/73 Iranian PGs

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Allam. Shah. Iran-Pakistan Relations: Political and Strategic Dimensions . Strategic Analysis . The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses . October–December 2004 . 28 . 4. 526. 10.1080/09700160408450157. 154492122. 20 October 2013.
  2. Book: Mir, Furrukh. Half Truth. 2011. iUniverse. [u.s.]. 978-1450286459.
  3. Ronald . O'Rourke . May 1988 . Proceedings of the USNI . 114 . 5 . 1023 . The Tanker War .
  4. Book: The Iran–Iraq War: 1980–1988. 60. Karsh, Efraim . Osprey Publishing . 2002 . 978-1-84176-371-2.
  5. News: Gulf Risks: Mines and Suicide Boats. The New York Times . 14 August 1987 . Trainor . Bernard E. .
  6. News: Phillips . Stephen . Revisiting the Tanker War . War on the Rocks . 20 March 2024.
  7. data sieve minimum of 5
  8. Web site: The Charming (Iraqi Attack) (Hansard, 8 March 1984) . 2024-09-14 . api.parliament.uk.
  9. Web site: M.Daly . Thomas . The Enduring Gulf War . US Naval Institute.
  10. Web site: Written Answers [4 MAY, 1984] to Questions ].
  11. News: . Texaco Supertanker Loaded With Iranian Oil Hits Mine : Cargo Leak, None Hurt, Owner Says . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press . 1987-08-10 . 2024-01-25. none.
  12. News: Phillips . John . 1987-08-10 . A U.S.-operated supertanker hit a mine outside the Persian... . United Press International . 2024-01-25.
  13. News: Phillips . John . 1987-08-10 . U.S.-run tanker hits mine outside Persian Gulf . United Press International . 2024-01-25.
  14. News: Reed . Jack . 1987-08-15 . A mine in the Gulf of Oman sank a... . United Press International . 2024-01-24.
  15. News: Phillips . Jason . 1987-08-16 . The amphibious assault carrier USS Guadalcanal has arrived off... . United Press International . 2024-01-24.

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