U.S. instructs Gulf embassies to oppose price rises

Brzezinski questioned whether U.S. policy toward the war should remain tied to the hostage crisis. The coordination committee ordered a further options meeting to support Muskie’s UN diplomacy.

OPEC’s Bali conference ended with revised official price limits despite tensions between Iran and Iraq. Diplomatic reporting said the war featured prominently without stopping the conference’s basic...

Saunders reported that Saudi contingency planning had stalled over disputes about F-15 equipment. The briefing showed limits to security cooperation that had expanded after the invasion of Iran.

The UN announced that Iran and Iraq had agreed to a second visit by Palme, planned for 13–19 January. Agreement to receive him remained distinct from agreement on peace.

After the January 5 launch, the Iranian armored offensive was encircled and suffered heavy losses. The failure sharpened debate over military command and helped reveal the limits of early...

Presidential Directive 63 codified U.S. Gulf security policy, including force projection, regional access and allied cooperation. The Iran-Iraq war formed part of its stated strategic setting.

A law ratified by the Majlis incorporated the National Basij into the Revolutionary Guards and transferred its administration, command and resources. The change structured Iran’s wartime volunteer...

A U.S. cable restated restrictions on military exports and transfers to Iran and Iraq. For Iran, access to parts for its U.S.-origin arsenal remained a central wartime problem.

After meetings with Palme, Iran reiterated that Iraqi troops must leave Iranian territory before negotiations. Occupation remained central to Tehran’s terms for peace.

Olof Palme’s third mediation mission ended without arranging a ceasefire. Iran had maintained that Iraqi troops must leave its territory before negotiations.