Iran captures the al-Faw peninsula

The assault concluded after several days of fighting. The contested position remained central to subsequent operations, while Iran prepared a major southern offensive toward al-Faw that would become...

MEES reported agreement to raise Iran–Turkey trade exchanges to $3 billion in 1986 after Turgut Ozal’s Tehran visit. Regional commerce offered Iran an important wartime supply connection.

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 began a surprise amphibious and ground offensive through the Shatt al-Arab marshes toward al-Faw. The operation combined Revolutionary Guard, army, and volunteer forces and took advantage of...

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 received 500 TOW missiles in a U.S.-organized transaction routed through Israel. The return flight carried 17 HAWK missiles rejected from the November 1985 shipment.

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.