United Nations imposes sweeping trade sanctions on Iraq.
U.S.-led coalition launches air war against Iraq.
U.N. Security Council lays down conditions, including elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, that must be met before sanctions are lifted. Since the 1991 Gulf War, U.S. and British planes have been enforcing a northern no-fly zone in Iraq to protect rebel Kurds from the Iraqi air force. A southern zone protects Shiite rebels. U.S., Britain increase presence in Persian Gulf after Iraq refuses to allow weapons inspections of presidential palaces. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan works out agreement with Iraq, defusing crisis.