Report 19880714A
Date
July 14, 1988
Administration
Ronald Reagan (Second Term)Location
Persian GulfWas 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)
Yes, described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(2) Triggered? (Combat- Equipped Introduction)
No, as described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(3) Triggered? (Substantial Enlargement)
No, as described in/inferred from report
Joint/Coalition Mission
No
Article 51 Report to UN
No
Purpose/Mission
Respond to threatDetails: Respond to threat by Iranian "small boats" after U.S. helicopters were fired upon while responding to distress call by a Panamanian tanker.
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: "The actions of U.S. forces... were taken... pursuant to my constitutional authority with respect to the conduct of foreign relations and as Commander in Chief. "
Claimed International Legal Basis
Self-DefenseDetails: "The actions of U.S. forces in response to being attacked by the Iranian small boats were taken in accordance with our inherent right of self-defense, as recognized in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter..."
Estimated Scope/Duration
Scope/duration specified
Details: Activity occurred July 12, 1988; "we regard this incident as closed."
Type of Enemy or Mission
Nation-stateDetails: Iran
Military Activity
Air operationsDetails: "five U.S. helicopters" responding to a tanker's distress call dispatched were fired on by "small boats;" "the helicopters returned fire, firing rockets and machine gun rounds at the small boats"
US Casualties Reported
No
Details: "no casualties or damage to U.S. forces"
Non-US Casualties Reported
Unknown
Details: "it is believed that one of the boats may have been hit with a rocket. The extent of damage to the boat is unknown"
