Changes

==The "Tanker War"==

==The "Tanker War"==

the United States had been at odds with Iran since the [[Iran Hostage Crisis]]. After Iranian and Iraqi forces both began attacking oil tankers from noncombatant nations, the US began to provide direct financial and military aid to Iraqi forces.

the United States had been at odds with Iran since the [[Iran Hostage Crisis]]. After Iranian and Iraqi forces both began attacking oil tankers from noncombatant nations, the US began to provide direct financial and military aid to Iraqi forces. In 1987, at the request of the Kuwaiti government, the U.S. initiated Operation Earnest Will, escorting neutral tankers through the battle zone.  This led to a number of confrontations between U.S. and Iranian forces.<ref>Historical Atlas of the U.S. Navy, by Craig L. Symonds, the Naval Institute, 1995</ref>

==Aftermath==

==Aftermath==