Battleground Hormuz: US Following Its ‘Tanker War’ Model From 1980s Against Iran? Then Vs Now Explained

Last Updated:April 24, 2026, 19:31 IST

What happened during Tanker War? How did US help Kuwaiti ships being attacked by Iran in Hormuz during 1980s' Iraq war? Is same strategy being applied? Then vs now, News18 explains

In the late 1980s, the US protected ships from Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz through Operation Earnest Will. This was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II. The U.S. Navy used a combination of direct escorts, technological countermeasures, and massive retaliatory strikes to secure the waterway.

The US is currently applying a strategy that mirrors the 1980s in spirit, specifically the use of escorts and deterrence—but with significantly more advanced technology and a broader, more aggressive scope. The US is not only protecting ships but has also implemented a naval blockade of Iranian ports following the outbreak of the 2026 Iran War.

What happened in the 1980s? Then vs now, explained

THE DEFENSIVE STRATEGY: OPERATION EARNEST WILL

The operation primarily focused on protecting Kuwaiti oil tankers that had been targeted by Iran during the “Tanker War" phase of the Iran-Iraq War. Eleven Kuwaiti tankers were registered as American merchant vessels. This legally allowed the U.S. Navy to provide military escorts. Warships, including frigates and destroyers, personally escorted these tankers through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Air Force AWACS aircraft provided constant radar surveillance. Ships used towed radar-deflecting decoys to confuse incoming missiles.

COMBAT & RETALIATION

The US moved from purely defensive escorts to aggressive retaliation when its forces or escorted ships were hit.

Major Incidents

USS Samuel B. Roberts (1988): The frigate struck an Iranian mine in international waters, nearly sinking.

USS Stark (1987): Though an accidental Iraqi attack, this event killed 37 U.S. sailors and hastened the start of the escort mission.

Iran Air Flight 655: In a tragic error during high tensions, the USS Vincennes shot down a civilian airliner after mistaking it for an Iranian fighter.

OPERATION PRAYING MANTIS (1988)

Following the mining of the Samuel B. Roberts, the U.S. launched a massive one-day strike that destroyed or severely damaged half of Iran’s operational fleet. They sank the Iranian frigate Sahand and a missile boat. The US destroyed two Iranian oil platforms used as command and control centers and crippled the frigate Sabalan with laser-guided bombs.

Mines were the greatest threat to shipping. The U.S. was initially unprepared for this “low-tech" tactic. The U.S. deployed specialized minesweeping helicopters (Sea Stallions) and small minesweepers. U.S. Navy SEALs and Army “Nightstalker" helicopters patrolled at night to catch Iranian ships in the act of laying mines. In September 1987, U.S. forces caught an Iranian landing craft red-handed Ajr as it was laying mines, seizing the ship and its crew.

MODERN ESCORTS VS 1980S

While the U.S. still uses the “Earnest Will" model of direct protection, modern warfare has forced several changes:

• Technology: Unlike the 80s, the U.S. now uses AEGIS-equipped destroyers and F-35C fighters to intercept advanced Iranian Shahed-139 drones and cruise missiles before they reach tankers.
• Asymmetric Tactics: Iran has shifted from traditional warships to swarm tactics with small, fast boats and midget submarines, which are harder to track and engage than the frigates of the 1980s.
• Escort Capacity: The U.S. Navy currently faces a numbers challenge; with an estimated 125 ships transiting daily, officials note there are not enough assets to escort every vessel, leading to a focus on high-priority or U.S.-flagged tankers like the MV Stena Imperative.

THE 2026 BLOCKADE AND OPERATIONS

The current approach has expanded beyond just defensive escorts into active offensive containment:

Operation Epic Fury: Launched in late February 2026, this coordinated U.S.-Israeli campaign targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites, significantly escalating the conflict.

Naval Blockade: Since mid-April 2026, the U.S. has enforced a blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, intercepting or turning back vessels (like the cargo ship Touska) trading with Iran.

Mine Clearance: In a direct echo of the 80s, the U.S. Navy began operations in April 2026 to clear naval mines laid by Iran to keep the strait’s shipping lanes open, according to BBC and other reports.

INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT

Unlike the 1980s, where the U.S. acted largely alone or with minor allied support, there is now a complex mix of international and rival actions:

• The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) remains active, though some countries are hesitant to join full-scale combat.
• Nations like India are running their own missions (Operation Urja Suraksha) to protect their national interests without directly joining the U.S. blockade.
• Russia and China have recently conducted joint drills with Iran in the region to signal opposition to U.S. dominance.

KEY FAQs

What was the 1980s ‘Tanker War’ model?

During the Tanker War, the US escorted and “reflagged" oil tankers to protect them from Iranian attacks.

Is the US doing something similar now?

Partly, more naval patrols and protection, but no full-scale convoy system like the 1980s yet.

What’s different today?

Modern threats (drones, speedboats, mines) and unclear war goals make it harder to secure shipping than in the 1980s.

With AP inputs

News explainers Battleground Hormuz: US Following Its ‘Tanker War’ Model From 1980s Against Iran? Then Vs Now Explained

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