


Although decades have since elapsed, U.S.

Earnest Will presented challenges in understanding Iranian decisionmaking, producing persuasive intelligence, messaging Iran, achieving deterrence without unintentional escalation, and discovering diplomatic offramps. Navy effort to escort and protect reflagged Kuwaiti tankers against potential Iranian attack, particularly during the war’s last years in 19. Recently declassified material affords additional insights into the challenges of engaging Tehran during Operation Earnest Will, the U.S. senior leaders to reconsider should they again be faced with having to deter Iran in a fast-breaking crisis. military thinking and offer issues for U.S. The events of the so-called Tanker War in the Persian Gulf remain benchmarks in Iranian and U.S.
