Bani-Sadr visits bomb-hit Tabriz

Brown reported four U.S. AWACS aircraft deployed to Saudi Arabia and agreement to provide ground radars. The response to the war strengthened surveillance on the southern side of the Gulf.

In talks with Duncan, Venezuelan officials expressed willingness to help Brazil replace disrupted Iraqi oil supplies. The proposal aimed to prevent the war’s shortages from inflaming spot-market...

At a coordination meeting, Muskie warned that using the war to advance long-term U.S. military plans could provoke the Soviet Union and weaken Washington’s claimed neutrality toward Iran and Iraq.

U.S. officials agreed to sound out Saudi interest in security talks before proceeding. They separated immediate contingency discussions from a broader plan for a long-term American presence.

Dobrynin delivered a Soviet statement asking Washington to explain Saudi AWACS deployments and proposed Hormuz naval activity. Muskie defended the moves as preparations for defensive contingencies.

Warren Christopher said the United States would remain neutral in the war while defending its vital Gulf interests, revealing the limits of Washington’s public neutrality claim.

UPI reported that the Iran–Iraq war had forced three oil meetings to be postponed. Fighting between two member states obstructed the organization’s work on oil policy.

Iraq asked Indira Gandhi to initiate a solution to the war, citing India’s friendship with both belligerents. The request opened another potential channel of mediation.

Prince Fahd approved expert discussions with the United States on regional contingencies and support arrangements. The U.S. ambassador’s report stressed Saudi sensitivity over public exposure.

Gromyko told Ambassador Watson that U.S. naval deployments increased pressure on Iran. He denied Soviet arms deliveries to either belligerent and urged restraint, according to the U.S. meeting report.