The Tanker War: America’s First Clash with Iran After Vietnam

We welcome Naval officer, diplomat, strategist and author Tom Duffy for a conversation about a largely forgotten Cold War–era naval campaign: Operation Earnest Will. During the final years of the Iran–Iraq War, the Persian Gulf became the scene of a dangerous maritime struggle known as the “Tanker War.” Iran and Iraq attacked oil tankers to cripple each other’s economies and pressure international shipping. In response, the United States launched Operation Earnest Will—the largest naval convoy operation since World War II—escorting Kuwaiti oil tankers through hostile waters and confronting Iranian threats at sea. The mission began when Kuwaiti tankers were re-flagged under the U.S. flag so they could legally sail under American naval protection. U.S. warships then escorted the tankers through the Gulf while surveillance aircraft, helicopters, and special operations forces hunted for mines and small-boat attackers. The danger became clear immediately. On the very first escort mission, the reflagged tanker Bridgeton struck an Iranian mine in the Gulf—an early reminder that even a powerful navy could not fully control the narrow and volatile waters of the Persian Gulf. Over the next fourteen months, dozens of U.S. warships rotated through the region while Navy SEALs, special operations aviators, and patrol boat crews conducted night operations to stop Iranian mining and harassment of shipping. In his book Tanker War in the Gulf, Duffy draws on his experience as a U.S. Navy officer who participated in the operation and later as a Foreign Service officer stationed across the Middle East. He reconstructs the tense months when American warships escorted vulnerable tankers through minefields, missile threats, and political uncertainty—while trying to prevent a regional war from spiraling into a superpower confrontation. The story includes dramatic moments such as the USS Stark incident, the shadow presence of Soviet naval forces monitoring U.S. movements, and retaliatory clashes between U.S. and Iranian forces that nearly escalated into a wider war. Though often overlooked in American military history, Operation Earnest Will marked the first sustained U.S. military confrontation with Iran—a precursor to tensions that continue today. The operation also offers timely lessons about limited warfare, maritime security, and the strategic importance of protecting global energy routes—issues that echo in today’s crises in the Red Sea and across the wider Middle East. Duffy will also reflect on his unusual career path—from naval officer to U.S. diplomat—including postings in Bogotá during the Pablo Escobar era, Saudi Arabia during the early al-Qaeda bombings, and Baghdad during the turbulent early years of the Iraq War. His stories offer a rare view of how military operations, diplomacy, and global politics intersect in real time. Join us for a fascinating discussion about a little-known naval campaign that still shapes how the United States uses sea power today—and hear firsthand how history, strategy, and lived experience come together in one remarkable career.