Reagan approves Gulf shipping and oil defense policy

Iran submitted a request for a fact-finding mission on alleged Iraqi chemical weapons use, referring to medical and military evidence. The letter’s allegations are distinct from subsequent expert...

French Foreign Minister Cheysson told the Senate that five Super Etendard aircraft had arrived in Iraq in October. The announcement publicly confirmed a transfer that threatened Iranian oil...

An Iranian letter again raised alleged Iraqi chemical weapons use with the Secretary-General. Repeated submissions sought international attention to threats faced by Iranian forces and civilians.

Iranian forces ended the northern offensive after advancing a few kilometres into Iraq. The limited result underlined the operational difficulty of holding gains far from supply lines and the...

An action memorandum recommended asking Iraq to halt chemical warfare. It recorded additional confirmation of Iraqi use and concern over foreign firms’ contribution to production.

Iran’s representative reported further civilian attacks and renewed a request for a UN investigation. The event is the diplomatic submission; the letter does not independently verify each reported...

Donald Rumsfeld told Saddam Hussein that Washington and Baghdad shared interests in preventing Iranian and Syrian expansion. He described U.S. efforts to restrict arms transfers to Iran.

A State Department memorandum recommended Export-Import Bank financing for Iraq. It argued that credit could support Iraq’s economy and demonstrate U.S. support during the war.

A cable to Rumsfeld’s party outlined follow-up steps on the Iran–Iraq war, including efforts to curtail arms supplies to Iran. These efforts affected Tehran’s search for wartime military equipment.

Iraqi aircraft broke the sound barrier over Tehran, according to Iranian reporting. Residents contacted by telephone described sirens calling people to shelter.