First 1986 TOW shipment reaches Iran

Reagan signed a revised intelligence finding authorizing third parties to transfer weapons to Iran. The decision underpinned the direct U.S. arms transactions that followed in 1986.

An Iranian letter reported alleged Iraqi chemical weapons use on 31 January. The chronology dates Iran’s formal complaint on 4 February, keeping the claimed attack date separate.

Iran launched a separate operation in the Kurdish sector, distinct from the 1983 operation with the same name. The campaign sought to exploit difficult mountain terrain, but the northern front...

Council consultations supported the secretary-general’s approach and called for a halt to hostilities, noting that this would permit investigation in the war zone. Some members urged an early mission.

MEES reported renewed loading at Kharg following attacks on inland pumping facilities. Estimated exports remained roughly half their usual level, showing the vulnerability of the supply chain.

Iran warned Kuwait not to support Iraq as Iranian forces stood near the Iraqi–Kuwaiti frontier. Regional assistance to Baghdad remained a source of confrontation.

Mohsen Kangarlu emphasized Iran’s weapons needs while Oliver North pressed for hostage releases. Their Frankfurt meeting exposed different priorities and ended without a significant agreement.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry criticized Resolution 582 for failing to identify responsibility for aggression and chemical warfare, while welcoming UN cooperation on humanitarian law.

UN specialists arrived in Tehran for another on-site inquiry into chemical-weapons allegations, collecting physical and medical evidence during the February–March mission.

A further 500 TOW missiles were delivered to Iran. Despite the combined February deliveries, no hostages were released immediately afterward, underscoring the channel’s uncertain bargaining results.