Iraq renews its warning against tankers using Kharg

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati visited Japan in April 1984, maintaining a diplomatic channel during the continuing war.

NSDD 139 directed a plan to avert Iraqi collapse and strengthened U.S. Gulf readiness. For Iran, the policy showed Washington’s determination to prevent a decisive Iranian victory.

Brown & Root announced a contract for an Iraqi oil-export pipeline project bypassing Hormuz. Alternative routes could sustain Iraq’s revenues despite wartime disruption.

A U.S. cable reported negotiations for 20–25 Bell helicopters for Iraq’s Defense Ministry. It stipulated that helicopters could not be configured for military use; negotiations are not proof of...

Iran held parliamentary elections while the war continued. Candidate screening and the Freedom Movement’s boycott accompanied the vote, reflecting limits and disputes within wartime political life.

Iran’s UN representative transmitted a Foreign Ministry letter dated 11 May concerning alleged chemical attacks and attacks on commercial vessels. The event date is the covering submission of 14 May.

An unidentified aircraft attacked the Kuwaiti tanker Bahra. Competing accounts of tanker attacks complicated attribution as the conflict spread to regional commercial shipping.

Iran held the second round of its 1984 parliamentary elections. The vote continued selection of a legislature responsible for laws, ministerial approval and oversight during the war.

Gulf Cooperation Council ministers denounced tanker attacks blamed on Iran. The collective response increased regional diplomatic pressure on Tehran.

Iranian aircraft were reported to have attacked the Liberian-registered Chemical Venture. The incident exposed crews and shipping near Saudi waters to the wider tanker war.