The USS Stark, a U.S. frigate, was attacked by an Iraqi air-to-sea missile and severely damaged. Thirty sailors were killed in the attack, which was apparently accidental..

On May 17, 1987, during the Iran-Iraq War, the USS Stark (FFG-31) was struck by two Exocet missiles fired by an Iraqi jet, leading to the deaths of 37 U.S. sailors and injuring 21 others. This incident raised significant questions about U.S. policy in the Gulf and about the safety protocols in place for the protection of U.S. naval forces.

During the 1980s, the Iran-Iraq War created significant tensions in the Persian Gulf region. While the U.S. officially maintained a neutral stance in the conflict, it was widely known that the U.S. had strategic interests in ensuring the free flow of oil from the Gulf. In a convoluted geopolitical setting, Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, was seen by many in the West as a bulwark against the revolutionary Islamic regime in Iran.
The USS Stark, a guided-missile frigate, was patrolling international waters in the Persian Gulf as part of the U.S. effort to protect oil tankers and maintain freedom of navigation. On that fateful day, an Iraqi Mirage F-1 jet fired two French-made Exocet missiles at the vessel. The first missile penetrated the ship's hull and failed to detonate but spewed out rocket fuel that ignited a severe fire. The second missile exploded, causing substantial damage. Despite the intense fire and heavy damage, the crew's efforts prevented the ship from sinking.
Iraq quickly stated that the attack had been a mistake, suggesting that the pilot had mistaken the U.S. Navy frigate for an Iranian oil tanker. Given the backdrop of the ongoing war, wherein both Iran and Iraq had attacked each other's oil installations and shipping, this claim, while difficult to accept at face value, was not entirely outside the realm of possibility.
The immediate American response was one of shock and anger. President Ronald Reagan mourned the loss of American life but also sought to prevent a broader escalation. The U.S. accepted Iraq's formal apology and its offer to compensate the victims' families, avoiding retaliatory military action. However, domestically, this restraint was met with some criticism, with calls for a more robust response.
The incident brought to light significant concerns about the rules of engagement and defense protocols of U.S. naval vessels. The USS Stark had detected the incoming aircraft but, due to a series of miscommunications and delays, failed to take defensive measures in time. In the aftermath, the U.S. Navy underwent procedural changes designed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Moreover, the attack emphasized the dangers of the U.S.'s increasingly involved position in the Gulf. By the end of the 1980s, this involvement would morph into the “Tanker War” phase of the Iran-Iraq conflict, with U.S. Navy vessels escorting oil tankers through the region.