Original: 1990 & ndash ; Gulf War : The United Nations Security Council passes United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 , authorizing '' use all necessary means to uphold and implement '' United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 '' to restore international peace and security '' if Iraq did not withdraw its forces from Kuwait and free all foreign hostages by January 15 , 1991 .
Simplified: 1990 - Gulf War : The United Nations Security Council passes UN Security Council Resolution 678 , allowing military action in Iraq if that nation did not withdraw its forces from Kuwait and free all foreign hostages by January 15 , 1991 .