Report 19871010A
Date
October 10, 1987
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
Constitutional Caveat
Yes
Details: Reagan: “While mindful of the historical differences between the Legislative and Executive branches of government, and the positions taken by me and all my predecessors in office, with respect to the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Resolution, I look forward to cooperation with Congress in pursuit of our mutual, overriding aim of peace and stability in the Persian Gulf Region.”
Classified Annex Reported
No
Purpose/Mission
Respond to threatDetails: Respond to fire on three U.S. “helicopters… on routine nighttime patrol over international waters of the Persian Gulf… by three (possibly four) small Iranian naval vessels.”
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: “The limited defensive action described above was 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 limited defensive action described above was taken in accordance with our right of self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter…”
Estimated Scope/Duration
Scope/duration specified
Details: Activity occurred Oct. 8, 1987
Type of Enemy or Mission
Nation-stateDetails: Iran
Military Activity
Air operationsDetails: “the helicopters returned fire with rockets and machine guns. Three Iranian vessels were hit, and one of them subsequently sank.”
US Casualties Reported
No
Details: “U.S. forces… sustained no damage or casualties”
Non-US Casualties Reported
Yes
Details: U.S. patrol boats… recovered six Iranian crewmen from the water”; “two of the crewmen subsequently died…. Two of them are seriously injured”
Reporting as it Relates to Termination Clock
Fewer than 60 days sustained activity
