Washington questions Soviet neutrality as a Gulf mediator

The Security Council supported Pérez de Cuéllar’s mission to Iran and Iraq. The endorsement sought implementation of Resolution 598 through negotiations.

Iranian envoy Mohammad Javad Larijani met Pérez de Cuéllar in New York. Iran emphasized recognition of Iraq’s responsibility as negotiations over Resolution 598 continued.

Mousavi said relations with Saudi Arabia were seriously damaged after Mecca. He stopped short of announcing a diplomatic break and rejected pressure on Iran’s war policy.

Britain, France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands sent minesweepers to the Gulf after shipping was damaged by mines. Their deployment marked a broader international naval presence alongside U.S....

An attack attributed to Iranian Revolutionary Guards struck the Italian freighter Jolly Rubino. The incident became a trigger for Italy’s decision to protect merchant shipping militarily.

Libya and Iraq repaired their diplomatic rift. A country that had supported Iran now also endorsed pressure for compliance with the UN ceasefire resolution.

The UN Secretary-General arrived in Tehran seeking implementation of a ceasefire. His visit brought negotiations directly to Iran’s leadership before continuing to Iraq.

Italy’s lower house gave final approval for naval ships to protect Italian merchant traffic. The vote formalized intervention after the attack on Jolly Rubino.

Gulf Cooperation Council states denounced Iran and backed Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Their statement reflected the sharpened regional polarization around the war and Mecca crisis.

Italy’s eighteenth naval group departed from Taranto and Augusta for Gulf operations. The mission added escort and mine-clearance forces to the international maritime presence.