1988
Operation Praying Mantis
During the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-88, Iran blockaded the Gulf of Hormuz to prevent Iraqi tankers from exporting oil and prevailed upon Syria to block the pipeline from Iraq to the Mediterranean. Iraq then resorted to using Kuwaiti vessels to carry the valuable cargo, so Iran took military steps to prevent that maneuver. The United States, anxious to keep the supply of Gulf oil going to the industrialized world, reflagged the Kuwaiti ships and accorded them naval protection in the area.
When an Iranian mine exploded in international waters, damaging the guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Morrison, the Americans replied with Operation Praying Mantis designed to destroy Iranian facilities and ships used in their blockade. On April 18, 1988 the US launched attacks on oil platforms used for gun installations and intelligence purposes. The Iranian navy challenged the American fleet with speedboats and frigates and also attacked unarmed tankers belonging to western nations, but overwhelming American force neutralized the threat. The Iranians lost a frigate, a gunboat and 3 speedboats; two of their oil platforms were destroyed with a cost to the US of only a 2-man helicopter crew.
The decisive defeat in the Gulf is said to have led to a more eager Iranian willingness to settle the greater war; a ceasefire with Iraq was signed later that year.