Operation Prime Chance

Operation Prime Chance

Iraqi invasion

  • Kaman 99
  • 1st Khorramshahr
  • Scorch Sword
  • Abadan
  • Morvarid

Stalemate (1981)

  • Dezful
  • H3

Iranian offensive (1982)

  • Samen-ol-A'emeh
  • Jerusalem Way
  • Undeniable Victory
  • 2nd Khorramshahr
  • Jerusalem
  • Ramadan

Strategic stalemate (1983-1984)

  • Before the Dawn
  • Dawn 1
  • Dawn 2
  • Dawn 3
  • Dawn 4
  • Dawn 5
  • Kheibar
  • Dawn 6
  • Marshes
  • Badr

Duel offensives (1985-1986)

  • Al-Anfal Campaign (Halabja)
  • Dawn 8 (1st al-Faw)
  • Mehran
  • Karbala 4
  • Karbala-5
  • Karbala-6
  • Karbala Ten
  • Nasr 4

Final stages

  • Beit-ol-Moqaddas 2
  • Zafar 7
  • Tawakalna ala Allah (2nd al-Faw)
  • Forty Stars
  • Mersad

Tanker War

  • Earnest Will
  • Prime Chance
  • Eager Glacier
  • Nimble Archer
  • Praying Mantis

International incidents

  • Operation Opera
  • USS Stark incident
  • Air Flight 655 Incident


Operation Prime Chance (August 1987 – June 1989) was a United States Special Operations Command operation intended to protect U.S.-flagged oil tankers from Iranian attack during the Iran–Iraq War. The operation took place roughly at the same time as Operation Earnest Will (July 1987 – December 1988), the largely Navy effort to escort the tankers through the Persian Gulf. The operation was begun after the mining of the U.S.-flagged Kuwaiti oil tanker Bridgeton.

Read more about Operation Prime Chance:  Overview, Planning, Execution, Units

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