# Tanker War

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 | Vessel attacked | Vessel attacked | Agent | Result | Ref |
| Date | Name | Flag | GRT/Date | Agent | Result | Ref |
| 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 | |

### 1987

| Date | Vessel attacked | Vessel attacked | Vessel attacked | Agent | Result | Ref |
| Date | Name | Flag | GRT/Date | Agent | Result | Ref |
| 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

1988-01-01 to 1988-03-27 :
| Date | Vessel attacked | Vessel attacked | Vessel attacked | Agent | Result | Ref |
| Date | Name | Flag | GRT/Date | Agent | Result | Ref |
| 1988-01-01 | Alga | Malta | 16134/72 | Iraqi GM | slight damage | |
| 1988-01-10 | Khark 3 | Iran | 137895/71 | Iraqi a/c | minor damage | |
| 1988-01-12 | United Venture | Cyprus | 13161/69 | Iranian GM | severe damage | |
| 1988-01-14 | Petrobulk Pioneer | Liberia | 20446/80 | Iranian w/s | damaged aft | |
| 1988-01-15 | Atlantic Charisma | Liberia | 23127/87 | Iranian w/s | damaged | |
| 1988-01-15 | Igloo Espoo | Norway | 10105/85 | Iranian PGs | damaged | |
| 1988-01-16 | Rainbow | Liberia | 7589/82 | Iranian PGs | severe damage | |
| 1988-01-22 | Havpil | Singapore | 10977/69 | Iranian PG | minor damage | |
| 1988-01-22 | Topaz | Panama | 85690/76 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | |
| 1988-01-22 | Torm Rottina | Denmark | 20036/76 | Iranian PGs | attacked | |
| 1988-01-27 | Coral Cape | Cyprus | 112825/74 | Iraqi imissile | damaged | |
| 1988-01-29 | Khark | Iran | 116404/75 | Iraqi a/c | minor damage | |
| 1988-01-29 | Khark 5 | Iran | 138394/75 | Iraqi a/c | minor damage | |
| 1988-01-30 | Mare | Panama | 9111/72 | Iranian PGs | sunk | |
| 1988-02-03 | Makran | Iran | 16000/74 | Iraqi missile | set afire | |
| 1988-02-03 | Petrobulk Ruler | Norway | 20505/75 | Iranian PG | damaged | |
| 1988-02-05 | Tavistock | Panama | 87464/71 | Iranian PGs | damaged | |
| 1988-02-07 | Khark 5 | Iran | 138394/75 | Iraqi a/c | set afire | |
| 1988-02-07 | Diane | Liberia | 38241/87 | Iranian FF | set afire | |
| 1988-02-09 | Shir Kooh | Iran | 140465/73 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | |
| 1988-02-09 | Veronique | Liberia | 38795/76 | Iranian FF | damaged aft | |
| 1988-02-11 | Happy Kari | Norway | 38795/76 | Iranian PGs | set afire | |
| 1988-02-12 | Kate Mærsk | Denmark | 167207/76 | Iraqi a/c | set afire | |
| 1988-02-15 | Soleiman | Iran | 1019/84 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | |
| 1988-03-08 | Tenacity | Malta | 41195/65 | Iraqi a/c | minor damage | |
| 1988-03-15 | Trade Fortitude | Liberia | 113950/72 | Iraqi a/c | damaged | |
| 1988-03-18 | Berge Lord | Norway | 138008/73 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | |
| 1988-03-18 | Kyrnicos | Cyprus | 41922/67 | Iraqi a/c | moderate damage | |
| 1988-03-18 | Maria 2 | Panama | 22845/80 | Iranian PGs | set afire | |
| 1988-03-18 | Neptune Subaru | Singapore | 22845/80 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | |
| 1988-03-19 | Avaj | Iran | 162028/75 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | |
| 1988-03-19 | Sanandaj | Iran | 129770/73 | Iraqi a/c | severe damage | |
| 1988-03-20 | Atlantic Peace | Liberia | 43943/83 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | |
| 1988-03-21 | Fumi | Liberia | 36674/84 | Iranian PGs | set afire | |
| 1988-03-21 | Iberian Reefer | Spain | 7949/85 | Iranian PGs | minor damage | |
| 1988-03-22 | Havglimt | Singapore | 28941/78 | Iranian w/s | minor damage | |
| 1988-03-22 | Stavros G.L. | Greece | 163810/76 | Iranian PGs | set afire | |
| 1988-03-23 | Odysseas H. | Cyprus | 18876/72 | Iranian PGs | severe damage | |
| 1988-03-27 | Jainarayan Vyas | India | 15035/75 | Iranian PGs | moderate damage | |
1988-03-28 to 1988-08-04 :
| Date | Vessel attacked | Vessel attacked | Vessel attacked | Agent | Result | Ref |
| Date | Name | Flag | GRT/Date | Agent | Result | Ref |
| 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 | |