USS FFG-58 Incident & Tanker War Overview

Incident Summary

• The USS (FFG-58) sustained damage in Bahrain's dry dock due a mine strike while in the Persian Gulf.

• This occurred April 14, 1988.

• A view of the damaged ship is included in the document.

• The document references other conflicts between US and Iranian operations in the late 1980s.

The Tanker War

• The Iranian Revolution in 1979 led to the termination of their alliance with the US Navy.
• Prior to the revolution, Iran was viewed as a vital Cold War ally by the US, receiving sophisticated weaponry including Harpoon missiles and F-14s.
• The Shah of Iran was overthrown and replaced by the more radical Khomeini.
• A "Tanker War" followed and the focus shifted to attacking merchant shipping.

Iraq–Iran War (1980-1988)

• In September 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, hoping to take advantage of the Iranian Revolution's turmoil.
• The invasion was initially successful, mirroring the German invasion of the Soviet Union.
• The conflict escalated into a protracted and bloody war, with heavy casualties on both sides.
• Iran gradually gained ground using human-wave attacks and eventually resorted to chemical weapons.
• This conflict spread to the Arabian Gulf, primarily targeting Iranian shipping and vital transport infrastructure such as Kharg Island.

Iranian Naval Activities

• Iran employed a variety of tactics:

  • Mine warfare, disrupting shipping lanes.
  • Missiles and torpedoes against enemy ships.
  • Fast boats to attack neutral shipping.

• Iran's naval forces had support from the Soviet Union and other Western nations.

US Actions

• The US Navy became involved in safeguarding shipping and protecting allies from Iranian attacks.
• The US resorted to escorting Kuwaiti tankers with sophisticated weaponry in Operation Earnest Will 1987-1988.
• US forces also used air-to-surface missiles to combat the Iranian attacks.

USS Stark Attack

• On March 17, 1987, the USS Stark was hit by two Exocet missiles launched by an Iraqi Mirage F-1EQ5 fighter, resulting in casualties.
• Intelligence warnings that Iraqi ship strikes were occurring further south were disregarded.
• Ships were in close proximity to the exclusion zone, despite operating in peacetime conditions.
• The attack underscores failures in intelligence detection and response.

Operation Praying Mantis

• In response to persistent Iranian threats, the US initiated operation Praying Mantis on April 18, 1988.
• This was intended to deter Iran from continuing to deploy minefields.
• The operation involved a significant US navy effort to sink Iranian ships.
• The operation involved the sinking of at least three Iranian ships.