Iran-Iraq Tanker War redux? Why the Strait of Hormuz crisis is different
Summary
On April 20, the United States fired at and seized an Iranian-flagged container ship near the Strait of Hormuz as part of its blockade of Iranian ports. This situation recalls the 1980s Tanker War between Iran and Iraq, when both countries attacked each other’s oil tankers in the same area to hurt each other’s economies.Key Facts
- The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway where much of the world's oil passes through.
- The Tanker War took place during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, with both sides attacking oil tankers.
- Iraq started attacking Iranian tankers in 1984 to weaken Iran economically.
- Iran responded by attacking tankers belonging to Iraq and its allies.
- The US intervened in 1987 with Operation Earnest Will to protect shipping, reflagging Kuwaiti tankers with the US flag.
- US naval forces escorted tankers and fought Iranian forces, including strikes and hunts for mine-layers.
- The conflict ended in 1988 after a UN-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Iraq.
- During the Tanker War, over 450 attacks on shipping killed or wounded hundreds of sailors from many countries.
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