Tanker War

The Tanker War is a term that refers to skirmishes against merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz between 1984 and 1988, during the Iran–Iraq War.

Tanker War
Part of Iran–Iraq War
Date 1 February 1984 — 4 August 1988 Location Persian Gulf Strait of Hormuz Sea of Oman Result Ceasefire (at the end of the war)
Belligerents
Iran	Iraq United States Kuwait Saudi Arabia
Units involved
IRIN IRGCN IRIAF	Iraqi Navy Iraqi Air Force United States Navy

Overview

The Tanker War was started by the Ba'athist Iraq.[1] Kuwait and Saudi Arabia allied with Iraq against Iran, while the United States intervened in 1986 to protect Kuwaiti tankers and subsequently was engaged with Iran.[2]

List of attacks

1984

Date	Vessel attacked			Agent	Result	Ref
	Name	Flag	GRT/Date
1984-03-01	Charming		Un­known	Iraqi missile	Un­known	[3]
1984-03-01(?)	Sema-G		Un­known	Iraqi missile	Un­known	[3]
1984-03-04	APJ Ambika		16000	Iraqi missile	Un­known	[3]
1984-03-29	Iran Dahr		12257/71	Iraqi missile	damaged	[4]
1984-05-27	Savoy Dean		19291/68	Iraqi missile	minor damage	[4]
1984-06-03	Büyük Hun		80683/77	Iraqi missiles	severe damage	[4]
1984-06-03	Giant Kirn		32107/71	Unidentified missile	set afire	[5]
1984-06-06	Dashaki		19291/68	Iraqi missile	severe damage	[4]
1984-06-10	Kazimah		160010/82	Unidentified a/c	severe damage	[4]
1984-06-24	Alexander the Great		152372/73	Iraqi Exocet missile	severe damage	[4]
1984-06-27	Tiburón		125389/73	Iraqi missile	severe damage	[4]
1984-07-01	Al Kabeer		16575/65	Iraqi a/c	aground	[4]
1984-07-01	Sitia Venture		15991/66	Iraqi a/c	aground	[4]
1984-07-01	Alexandra Dyo		13316/69	Iraqi a/c	attacked	[4]
1984-07-02	Won Jin		6164/74	Iraqi missiles	severe damage	[4]
1984-07-05	Primrose		122203/76	Unidentified missiles	slight damage	[4]
1984-07-10	British Renown		122203/76	Iranian a/c	slight damage	[4]
1984-08-18	Endeavour		47310/76	Unidentified missile	set afire	[5]
1984-08-24	Amethyst		31280/63	Unidentified missile	set afire	[5]
1984-08-27	Cleo 1		20880/59	Unidentified missile	set afire	[5]
1984-09-11	St. Tobias		115025/71	Unidentified missile	minor damage	[5]
1984-09-12	Good Wind		11525/70	Iraqi missile	set afire	[5]
1984-09-16	Med Heron		60655/77	Unidentified missile	Un­known	[5]
1984-09-16	Royal Colombo		74474/75	Unidentified missile	Un­known	[5]
1984-10-08	World Knight		114573/75	Iraqi missile	severe damage[lower-alpha 1]	[5][6]
1984-10-11	Jag Pari		20991/82	Iranian (?) bomb	minor damage	[5][6]
1984-10-12	Gaz Fountain		23796/69	Unidentified missile	set afire	[5][7]
1984-10-15	Sivand		108721/71	Iraqi a/c	set afire	[5][8]

1987

Date	Vessel attacked			Agent	Result	Ref
	Name	Flag	GRT/Date
1987-08-30	Sanandaj		129770/73	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[9]
1987-09-01	Astro Pegasus		42510/75	Iranian w/s g/f	damaged	[9]
1987-09-01	Bigorange XIV		197/56	Iraqi a/c	sunk	[9]
1987-09-01	Munguia		140277/77	Iranian PG	set afire	[9]
1987-09-01	Star Ray		99011/70	Iraqi missile	damaged	[9]
1987-09-02	Nisshin Maru		103099/80	Iranian PG	damaged	[9]
1987-09-02	Dafni		48473/57	Iranian boats	set afire	[9]
1987-09-02	Diamond Marine		101416/74	Iranian boats	holed	[9]
1987-09-02	Jolly Rubino		19418/78	Iranian boats	minor damage	[9]
1987-09-02	Leonidas Glory		3717/73	Iranian boats	minor damage	[9]
1987-09-09	Haven		109700/73	Iranian PG	damaged	[9]
1987-09-20	Khark 2		137895/70	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[9]
1987-09-20	Petroship B		25614/75	Iranian PG	minor damage	[9]
1987-09-20	Shirvan		41439/79	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[9]
1987-09-21	Gentle Breeze		57462/70	Iranian PG	severe damage	[9]
1987-09-21	Marissa I		181/69	mine	sunk	[9]
1987-09-27	Coral Cape		112825/74	Iraqi missile (2)	damaged	[9]
1987-09-27	Iran Sepah		19702/76	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[9]
1987-09-27	Merlin		110037/71	Iraqi missile (2)	damaged	[9]
1987-09-27	Shirvan		41439/79	Iraqi missile	damaged	[9]
1987-09-29	Khark		127453/73	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[9]
1987-09-29	Koriana		38629/85	Iranian w/s	slight damage	[9]
1987-09-30	Western City		105803/75	Iranian PGs	minor damage	[9]
1987-10-01	Nichiharu Maru		120694/73	Iranian PGs	minor damage	[9]
1987-10-01	Johar		49635/76	Iranian PGs	minor damage	[9]
1987-10-01	Shenton Bluff		150/79	Iraqi missile	severe damage	[9]
1987-10-02	Felicity		53226/68	Iraqi missile	set afire	[9]
1987-10-02	Spic Emerald		11712/83	Iranian PG	set afire	[9]
1987-10-05	Brazil Star		77294/72	Iraqi a/c	minor damage	[9]
1987-10-05	Seawise Giant		238558/76	Iraqi a/c	minor damage	[9]
1987-10-05	Shining Star		128929/71	Iraqi missile	severe damage	[9]
1987-10-05	World Admiral		106673/74	Iraqi missile	minor damage	[9]
1987-10-08	Tomoe 8		5267/86	Iranian PG	set afire	[9]
1987-10-10	Rova		105286/75	Iraqi missiles	severe damage	[9]
1987-10-12	Marianthi M.		13006/65	Iraqi missile	damaged	[9]
1987-10-13	Atlantic Peace		43943/83	Iranian PG g/f	minor damage	[9]
1987-10-14	Pegasus I		104918/73	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[9]
1987-10-15	Sungari		124085/75	Iranian missile	set afire	[9]
1987-10-16	Sea Isle City		55454/81	Iranian missile	moderate damage	[9]
1987-10-23	Prosperventure L.		27333/87	Iranian PG	set afire	[9]
1987-11-04	Taftan		141883/73	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[10]
1987-11-06	Grand Wisdom		51121/76	Iranian w/s	minor damage	[10]
1987-11-11	Fortuneship L.		118216/75	Iraqi GM (3)	damaged	[10]
1987-11-11	Liquid Bulk Explorer		7060/72	Iranian PG	slight damage	[10]
1987-11-12	Yousef[lower-alpha 2]		584/84	Iraqi a/c	hit	[10]
1987-11-13	Salvital[lower-alpha 3]		742/76	Iraqi GM	severe damage	[10]
1987-11-15	Lucy		36512/86	Iranian PG	damaged	[10]
1987-11-16	Esso Freeport		122967/74	Iranian PGs	minor damage	[10]
1987-11-16	Filikon L.		41330/76	Iranian PGs	moderate damage	[10]
1987-11-19	Salvenus[lower-alpha 3]		699/78	Iraqi GMs	severe damage	[10]
1987-11-20	Tabriz		41440/80	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[10]
1987-11-22	Andromeda		38627/84	Iranian PG	damaged	[10]
1987-11-23	Fundulea		6253/80	Iranian PGs	damaged	[10]
1987-11-23	Uni-Master		11648/77	Iranian w/s	slight damage	[10]
1987-11-26	Umm al Jathathel		47169/83	Iranian w/s	Un­known	[10]
1987-11-29	Khark 4		127450/73	Iraqi a/c	moderate damage	[10]
1987-12-02	Anax		122936/72	Iraqi a/c	slight damage	[10]
1987-12-04	Actinia		109567/75	Iraqi a/c	severe damage	[10]
1987-12-06	Estelle Mærsk		28010/87	Iranian PGs	minor damage	[10]
1987-12-06	Norman Atlantic		42093/73	Iranian PGs	sunk	[10]
1987-12-08	Alamoot		163173/77	Iraqi a/c	severe damage	[10]
1987-12-09	Susangird		111287/73	Iraqi a/c	severe damage	[10]
1987-12-11	Tharaleos		51372/69	Iranian FF	minor damage	[10]
1987-12-12	Pivot		109700/75	Iranian FF	damaged	[10]
1987-12-15	Mimi M.		16246/74	Iraqi a/c	severe damage	[10]
1987-12-16	Taftan		141883/73	Iraqi a/c	minor damage	[10]
1987-12-16	World Produce		17277/84	Iranian PG	moderate damage	[10]
1987-12-17	Island Transporter		9714/68	Iranian PGs	damaged	[10]
1987-12-18	Free Enterprise		113780/72	Iraqi a/c	went aground	[10]
1987-12-18	Happy Kari		140227/74	Iranian PGs	set afire	[10]
1987-12-18	Saudi Splendour		125394/75	Iranian PG	moderate damage	[10]
1987-12-19	Karama Mærsk		167728/77	Iranian PGs	slight damage	[10]
1987-12-22	British Respect		136601/74	Iraqi a/c	set afire	[10]
1987-12-22	Burmah Enterprise		231629/78	Iraqi a/c	severe damage	[10]
1987-12-22	Seawise Giant		238558/76	Iraqi a/c	set afire	[10]
1987-12-22	World Petrobras		193778/77	Iraqi a/c	damaged	[10]
1987-12-22	Stena Concordia		122199/73	Iranian FF	damaged	[10]
1987-12-23	Berge Big		136364/75	Iranian PGs	set afire	[10]
1987-12-25	Hyundai No. 7		11686/78	Iranian PGs	set afire	[10]
1987-12-25	Nejmat el Petrol		12964/64	Iranian PGs	set afire	[10]
1987-12-27	Stilikon		96747/64	Iraqi GM	set afire	[10]
1987-12-31	Iran Sedaghat		4474/71	Iraqi a/c	decoy	[10]

1988

1988-01-01 to 1988-03-27 Date Vessel attacked Agent Result Ref Name Flag GRT/Date 1988-01-01 Alga 16134/72 Iraqi GM slight damage [10] 1988-01-10 Khark 3 137895/71 Iraqi a/c minor damage [10] 1988-01-12 United Venture 13161/69 Iranian GM severe damage [10] 1988-01-14 Petrobulk Pioneer 20446/80 Iranian w/s damaged aft [10] 1988-01-15 Atlantic Charisma 23127/87 Iranian w/s damaged [10] 1988-01-15 Igloo Espoo 10105/85 Iranian PGs damaged [10] 1988-01-16 Rainbow 7589/82 Iranian PGs severe damage [10] 1988-01-22 Havpil[lower-alpha 4] 10977/69 Iranian PG minor damage [10] 1988-01-22 Topaz 85690/76 Iranian PGs minor damage [10] 1988-01-22 Torm Rottina 20036/76 Iranian PGs attacked [11] 1988-01-27 Coral Cape 112825/74 Iraqi imissile damaged [11] 1988-01-29 Khark 116404/75 Iraqi a/c minor damage [11] 1988-01-29 Khark 5 138394/75 Iraqi a/c minor damage [11] 1988-01-30 Mare[lower-alpha 4] 9111/72 Iranian PGs sunk [11] 1988-02-03 Makran 16000/74 Iraqi missile set afire [11] 1988-02-03 Petrobulk Ruler 20505/75 Iranian PG damaged [11] 1988-02-05 Tavistock 87464/71 Iranian PGs damaged [11] 1988-02-07 Khark 5 138394/75 Iraqi a/c set afire [11] 1988-02-07 Diane 38241/87 Iranian FF set afire [11] 1988-02-09 Shir Kooh 140465/73 Iraqi a/c damaged [11] 1988-02-09 Veronique 38795/76 Iranian FF damaged aft [11] 1988-02-11 Happy Kari 38795/76 Iranian PGs set afire [11] 1988-02-12 Kate Mærsk[lower-alpha 4] 167207/76 Iraqi a/c set afire [11] 1988-02-15 Soleiman 1019/84 Iraqi a/c severe damage [11] 1988-03-08 Tenacity 41195/65 Iraqi a/c minor damage [11] 1988-03-15 Trade Fortitude 113950/72 Iraqi a/c damaged [11] 1988-03-18 Berge Lord 138008/73 Iranian PGs minor damage [11] 1988-03-18 Kyrnicos 41922/67 Iraqi a/c moderate damage [11] 1988-03-18 Maria 2 22845/80 Iranian PGs set afire [11] 1988-03-18 Neptune Subaru 22845/80 Iranian PGs minor damage [11] 1988-03-19 Avaj 162028/75 Iraqi a/c severe damage [11] 1988-03-19 Sanandaj 129770/73 Iraqi a/c severe damage [11] 1988-03-20 Atlantic Peace 43943/83 Iranian PGs minor damage [11] 1988-03-21 Fumi 36674/84 Iranian PGs set afire [11] 1988-03-21 Iberian Reefer 7949/85 Iranian PGs minor damage [11] 1988-03-22 Havglimt 28941/78 Iranian w/s minor damage [11] 1988-03-22 Stavros G.L. 163810/76 Iranian PGs set afire [11] 1988-03-23 Odysseas H. 18876/72 Iranian PGs severe damage[lower-alpha 1] [11] 1988-03-27 Jainarayan Vyas 15035/75 Iranian PGs moderate damage [11]

1988-03-28 to 1988-08-04 Date Vessel attacked Agent Result Ref Name Flag GRT/Date 1988-03-28 Karama Mærsk 167728/77 Iranian PGs minor damage [11] 1988-03-28 Golar Kansai 98905/72 Iranian PGs minor damage [11] 1988-03-30 Anax 122936/72 Iraqi a/c disabled [11] 1988-03-31 Haven 109700/73 Iraqi FF aground [11] 1988-04-12 Sagheera 20817/81 Iranian PGs set afire [12] 1988-04-18 Omnium Pride 13858/71 Iranian PGs set afire [12] 1988-04-18 Willi Tide 283/79 Iran attacked [12] 1988-04-18 York Marine 60814/75 Iranian w/s set afire [12] 1988-04-19 Fal V 7214/72 Iranian PGs damaged [12] 1988-04-24 Sea Trader 19482/76 Iranian PGs minor damage [12] 1988-05-11 Khark 116404/75 Iraqi a/c damaged [12] 1988-05-11 Iran Nahad 11205/70 Iraqi a/c severe damage [12] 1988-05-12 Sea Sapphire[lower-alpha 5] 11205/70 Iraqi a/c severe damage [12] 1988-05-14 Argosy 71080/70 Iraqi a/c severe damage [12] 1988-05-14 Barcelona 122770/72 Iraqi a/c severe damage [12] 1988-05-14 Beaufort[lower-alpha 6] 475/78 Iraqi a/c severe damage [12] 1988-05-14 Safir[lower-alpha 6] 475/78 Iraqi a/c severe damage [12] 1988-05-14 Scan Partner[lower-alpha 6] 499/79 Iraqi a/c sunk [12] 1988-05-14 Seawise Giant 238558/79 Iraqi a/c severe damage [12] 1988-05-14 Burmah Endeavour 231269/77 Iraqi a/c minor damage [12] 1988-05-16 Bisoton 112445/72 Iraqi a/c minor damage [12] 1988-05-18 Ace Chemi 112445/72 Iranian PGs set afire [12] 1988-05-19 Barge Strand 43849/82 Iranian PGs minor damage [12] 1988-05-26 Mundogas Rio 12251/67 Iranian PGs damaged [12] 1988-05-26 Don Miguel 10526/76 Iranian PGs damaged [12] 1988-06-04 Shoush 113788/72 Iraqi a/c Un­known [12] 1988-06-09 Salverve[lower-alpha 2] 742/76 Iraqi a/c damaged [12] 1988-06-11 Dhaulagiri 7895/82 Iranian PGs minor damage [12] 1988-06-11 Esso Demetia 125293/73 Iranian PGs minor damage [12] 1988-06-11 Iran Fallahi 17716/72 Iraq a/c Un­known [12] 1988-06-14 Neptune Subaru 51894/86 Iranian PGs moderate damage [12] 1988-07-01 Khark 4 127450/73 Iraqi a/c damaged [12] 1988-07-01 Fortuneship L 118216/75 Iraqi a/c damaged [12] 1988-07-03 Berge Strand 43849/82 Iranian PGs minor damage [12] 1988-07-07 Fellowship L 118215/74 Iraqi a/c set afire [12] 1988-07-08 Star Ray 107432/70 Iraqi a/c set afire [12] 1988-07-12 Universal Monarch 40840/81 Iranian PGs damaged [12] 1988-07-15 Sea Victory 43456/69 Iranian PGs minor damage [12] 1988-08-04 Berge Lord 138008/73 Iranian PGs minor damage [12]

Further reading

• El-Shazly, Nadia El-Sayed (2016), The Gulf Tanker War: Iran and Iraq's Maritime Swordplay, Springer, ISBN 9781349263042
• Zatarain, Lee Allen (2008), Tanker War: America's First Conflict with Iran, 1987-88, Casemate, ISBN 9781932033847
• Walker, George K. (2000), "The Tanker War, 1980-88: Law and Policy", International Law Studies, U.S. Naval War College, 74
• Navias, Martin S.; Hooton, E. R. (1996), Tanker Wars: Assault on Merchant Shipping During the Iran-Iraq Crisis, 1980-88, Bloomsbury Academic, ISBN 9781860640322

Notes

1. constructive loss
2. tug
3. salvage tug
4. hit in error
5. tug towing Iran Nahad
6. tugs damaged by explosion of Barcelona

References

Footnotes

1. Roach, J. Ashley; Greenwood, Christopher J.; Lagoni, Rainer; Meron, Theodor (20–23 April 1988), "Missiles on Target; The Law of Targeting and the Tanker War", Proceedings of the Annual Meeting (American Society of International Law), 82: 154–169, JSTOR 25658421
2. Dudley, William S. (2007), "Navies, Great Powers – United States, 1775 to the Present – The tanker war", in Hattendorf, John J. (ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195130751.001.0001, ISBN 9780195307405
3. Herman, Arthur (7 March 1984), "Two cargo ships were hit by Iraqi missiles", United Press International
4. Silverstone 1984, 21 (4)
5. Silverstone 1985, 22 (2) harvnb error: no target: CITEREFSilverstone1985 (help)
6. "Iranians Bomb Tanker From India in the Gulf", Associated Press, The New York Times, 13 October 1984
7. "Liquefied Gas Ship Set Ablaze in Gulf", Reuters, The New York Times, 14 October 1984
8. Middleton, Drew (21 October 1984), "Gulf War: Iran's Push is Limited", The New York Times
9. Silverstone 1988a, 25 (1)
10. Silverstone 1988b, 25 (2)
11. Silverstone 1988c, 25 (4)
12. Silverstone 1989, 26 (1)

Sources

• Silverstone, Paul H. (1984), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 21 (4): 396, JSTOR 44891106
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 22 (1): 51, JSTOR 44888933
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 22 (2): 145–146, JSTOR 44891147
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 22 (3): 306, JSTOR 44891192
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1985), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 22 (4): 399, JSTOR 44891899
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 23 (1): 30, JSTOR 44894586
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 23 (2): 140, JSTOR 44889022
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 23 (3): 271, JSTOR 44891948
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1986), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 23 (4): 378, JSTOR 44889078
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1987), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 24 (1): 71, JSTOR 44889099
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1987), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 24 (2): 164, JSTOR 44894620
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1987), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 24 (4): 358, JSTOR 44891264
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1988), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 25 (1): 37, JSTOR 44889197
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1988), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 25 (2): 195, JSTOR 44891248
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1988), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 25 (4): 402, JSTOR 44892028
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1989), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 26 (1): 83, JSTOR 44892063