Gulf War Chronology

The following is a chronology of events in the Iran-Iraq War:

1980--In response to statements by Iran’s revolutionary regime suggesting that it intends to bring down the government in Baghdad, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Sept. 7 abrogates a 1975 treaty with Iran and claims full sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway, which forms part of the border between the two countries. On Sept. 22, Iraqi bombers raid Tehran airport and Iraqi troops cross into Iran. A month later, the Iraqis occupy a strip of Iranian territory 375 miles long. Oil installations on both sides are attacked. Iran’s refinery at Abadan, the world’s largest, is virtually destroyed, as is the Iraqi petrochemical complex at Basra.

1981-82--Iran begins a counteroffensive, hurling Iraqi forces back on the central and northern fronts. Hussein proposes an Iraqi withdrawal to international borders, but Iran ignores his offer.

1983--With Iran exerting pressure, Iraq improves its relations with the Soviet Union and is resupplied with Soviet arms.

1984--Iran begins a series of offensives, capturing part of the oil-rich Majnoon Islands, north of Basra, although an attempt to take Basra itself is thwarted. Iraq begins attacking oil tankers in an effort to cut off Iran’s oil exports and force it to negotiate. Iran retaliates by attacking Kuwaiti, Saudi and other neutral nations’ tankers.

1985--Iran begins launching missiles at Baghdad. The United States moves to secretly supply Tehran with weapons.

1986--Iranian forces occupy 300 square miles of the Faw Peninsula, including the port of Faw. Iran also undertakes an offensive in the northern Kurdish mountains of Iraq.

1987--Amid increasing Iranian attacks on neutral shipping, Kuwait appeals to the big powers to protect shipping in the gulf. An Iraqi air attack on the U.S. Navy frigate Stark on May 17 leaves 37 Americans dead. On July 20, the U.N. Security Council adopts Resolution 598, demanding a cease-fire; Iraq accepts, conditional on Iran also accepting. Two days later, the first convoy of U.S.-escorted Kuwaiti ships flying the American flag enters the Persian Gulf.

1988--An Iraqi offensive in April retakes the Faw Peninsula, and on June 26 the Iraqis recapture the Majnoon Islands. The U.S. Navy cruiser Vincennes mistakenly downs an Iran Air jetliner in the gulf July 3, killing all 290 aboard. On July 11, the Iraqis capture Halabja and adjacent Kurdish mountain region. One week later, Iran announces it will accept terms of U.N. Resolution 598.