America's First Clash with Iran: The Tanker War, 1987-88

"A fine job of recounting a 20-year-old fight that was no doubt just another round in a continuing struggle."-US Naval Institute ProceedingsIn May 1987 the US frigate Stark, calmly sailing the waters of the Persian Gulf, was suddenly blown apart by an Exocet missile fired from an Iraqi jet fighter. A fifth of the ship's crew was killed and many others horribly burned or wounded. This event jumpstarted one of the most mysterious conflicts in American history: "The Tanker War," waged against Iran for control of the Persian Gulf.This quasi-war took place at the climax of the mammoth Iran-Iraq War during the Reagan administration. Losing on the battlefield, Ayatollah Khomeini's Iran had decided to close the Persian Gulf against shipping from Iraq's oil-rich backers, the emirate of Kuwait. The Kuwaitis appealed for help and America sent a fleet to the Gulf, raising the Stars and Stripes over Kuwait's commercial tankers.The result was a free-for-all, as the Iranians laid mines throughout the narrow passage and launched attack boats against both tankers and US warships. The sixth largest ship in the world, the tanker Bridgeton, hit an Iranian mine and flooded. The US Navy fought its largest surface battle since World War II against the Ayatollah's assault boats. Meanwhile, US Navy Seals arrived in the Gulf, setting up shop aboard two mobile platforms. As Saddam Hussein, who had instigated the conflict, looked on, Iranian gunners fired shore-based Silkworm missiles against US forces, actions which, if made known at the time, would have required the US Congress to declare war against Iran.In July 1988, nervous sailors aboard the cruiser USS Vincennes shot an Iranian airliner out of the sky, killing 300 civilians. This event came one month before the end of the war, and may have been the final straw that influenced the Ayatollah to finally drink from his "poisoned chalice."Author Lee Allen Zatarain, employing recently released Pentagon documents, firsthand interviews, and a determination to get to the truth, has revealed a conflict that few recognized at the time, but which may have presaged further battles to come. REVIEWS "...not only an exciting work but an essential one for those wishing to understand America's vast naval and air capability as well as its enduring vulnerability."-Stephen Tanner, author of Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the Fall of the Taliban and The Wars of the Bushes"...an amazingly detailed look inside the U.S. Navy during the period it encountered a myriad of threats from Iranian ships, aircraft and missiles in the Persian Gulf. Given the fact that a reprise of the conflict is just beyond the horizon, this book should be essential reading for all U.S. policymakers as well as-and even more so-the current leaders of Iran."-Samuel A. Southworth, author of U.S. Armed Forces Arsenal and U.S. Special Warfare"...does an excellent job of describing the tension aboard US ships and helicopter/ air crews... a good read and a fast one, especially for those of us unfamiliar with the "war" in the first place."Magweb.com 05/2008"...a fine job of recounting a 20 year old fight that was no doubt just another round in a continuing struggle."Proceedings, US Naval Institute, 08/2008"Well paced and factual... clearly understands the details of war at sea. As the United States discusses a possible conflict with Iran in the global press, the important lessons outlined...become particularly valuable."The Northern Mariner Spring 2008"...one of the best reads of the year...the best and most accurate account of the events of that fateful time peiod...answers a lot of questions and brings up a few as all, It is one that you simply must read."Mo