Middle East 501
Narrative: The Tanker War started by Iran and Iraq were having an effect on both
shipping and oil prices. This moved the United States into the Persian Gulf to protect
its oil interests, and several militarized incidents followed with Iranian forces. First,
in July 1987, four US naval ships entered the gulf in a show of force. In September,
a US navy helicopter strafed and disabled an Iranian ship that was laying mines. An
Iranian Silkworm missile hit a US-flagged tanker in October, and the United States
responded by shelling an oil rig. Then, on December 24, Iranian speedboats fired at
two American helicopters. This was the last incident with the United States as Iran
shifted its war strategy to missile attacks on Iraqi cities.
Coding changes: End Date changed from July 3. Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#2834
Started in December 1987. See the narrative in the 390 Denmark/630 Iran dyad
dispute list.
MID#3973
Dispute Number: 3973
Date(s): May 21, 1991 to May 22, 1991
Participants: 630 Iran/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Two Iranian vessels fired automatic weapons upon the USS LaSalle. The
LaSalle returned fire, at which point the two vessels fled north into Iranian territorial
waters. Iran stated that one of its patrol boats was fired on by the United States the
next day.
Coding changes: End Date changed from May 21, 1991.
MID#4216
Dispute Number: 4216
Date(s): October 3, 1997
Participants: 2 United States of America/630 Iran
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The United States sent the aircraft carrier Nimitz to the Persian Gulf ahead
of a scheduled deployment in order to dissuade Iranian air attacks on Iraq. Govern-
ment officials also hoped the show of force would calm Iraqi plans against Iran as
well.
MID#4512
Dispute Number: 4512
Date(s): March 22, 2003 to July 4, 2003
Participants: 2 United States of America, 200 United Kingdom/630 Iran