Purpose/Mission

Details: Respond to threat by Iranian "small boats" after helicopter from U.S. vessel on "investigative patrol in international airspace" is "fired on by Iranian small boats"

Domestic Legal Authority

Details: "The actions of U.S. forces in response to being attacked by Iranian small boats were taken... pursuant to my constitutional authority with respect to the conduct of foreign relations and as Commander in Chief."

Claimed International Legal Basis

Details: "The actions of U.S. forces in response to being attacked by 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 occured July 3, 1988; "we regard this incident as closed."

Type of Enemy or Mission

Details: Iran

Military Activity

Details: "[T]he USS VINCENNES and USS ELMER MONTGOMERY were operating in international waters of the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz"; a helicopter from the VINCENNES approached and "was fired on by Iranian small boats" which "turned toward and began closing in on the American warships. At this time, both American ships opened fire on the small craft, sinking two and damaging a third. Regrettably... an Iranian civilian airliner \[believed to be a hostile Iranian military aircraft] was shot down by the VINCENNES"

US Casualties Reported

No

Non-US Casualties Reported

Yes

Details: "Regrettably, in the course of the U.S. response to the Iranian attack, an Iranian civilian airliner was shot down by the [USS] VINCENNES, which was firing in self defense at what it believed to be a hostile Iranian military aircraft. We deeply regret the tragic loss of life that occurred. The Defense Department will conduct a full investigation."