2019–20 Persian Gulf crisis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 2019–20 Persian Gulf crisis
Part of the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
Clockwise from top: A U.S. B-52H strategic bomber in Qatar in May 2019; A NEDSA boat patrolling near British-flagged tanker Stena Impero; Members of the International Maritime Security Construct in Bahrain; Funeral procession of an Iranian general in Tehran; Alleged remnants of the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk drone shot down by Iran; U.S. troops man positions during the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad
Date 5 May 2019 – ongoing (6 years, 1 month, 2 weeks and 3 days) Location Western Indian Ocean Persian Gulf Gulf of Oman Strait of Hormuz Arabian Sea Strait of Gibraltar Red Sea Iraq Tehran Status Ongoing Western military presence in Persian Gulf increased; formation of the American-led International Maritime Security Construct Additional sanctions on Iran imposed Assassination of the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani Iranian withdrawal from the nuclear deal
Belligerents
United States CJTF–OIR IMSC:  United States  United Kingdom  Saudi Arabia  Australia  United Arab Emirates  Bahrain  Albania  Kuwait  Qatar Supported by:  Japan  Israel  Egypt	Iran Popular Mobilization Forces Kata'ib Hezbollah League of Revolutionaries Supported by: Houthis
Commanders and leaders
Donald Trump Mark Esper Boris Johnson Ben Wallace King Salman Mohammed bin Salman	Ali Khamenei Hassan Rouhani Amir Hatami Qasem Soleimani  † Falih Al-Fayyadh Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis  †
Strength
United States 50,000 troops 12 F-22 Raptors 4 B52 bombers 1 carrier strike group 10 Coastal Patrol Craft 6 Patrol Boats 4 Minesweepers 1 amphibious ready group United Kingdom 1,200 troops 9 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 6 F-35 Lightning 2 Type 23 frigate 1 Type 45 destroyer 1 Astute class submarine 4 minehunters 1 landing ship 1 fast fleet tanker Australia 200 personnel 1 frigate 1 P-8A Poseidon Japan 1 destroyer 2 patrol planes	Iran: NEDSA fast attack craft 1 Mil Mi-17 1 3rd Khordad 1 Tor M1 6-10 Fateh-110/Fateh-313 missiles 5 Qiam 1 missiles
Casualties and losses
United States: 1 civilian contractor killed 1 sailor dead (non-combat) 2 soldiers killed 114 soldiers injured 1 Black Hawk helicopter destroyed 1 RQ-4A Global Hawk surveillance drone downed 1 MQ-9 Reaper drone downed United Kingdom: 1 soldier killed Saudi Arabia: Oil facilities damaged	Iran: 5 IRGC members killed 1-2 drones downed (U.S. claim, denied by Iran) Pro-Iran Iraqi militia 5 Popular Mobilization Forces members killed 25 Kata'ib Hezbollah members killed 60+ injured
Tankers and ships Saudi Arabia: 2 tankers damaged (responsibility disputed) Japan: 1 merchant ship damaged (responsibility disputed) United Arab Emirates: 1 merchant ship damaged (responsibility disputed) Iran: 1 tanker damaged (responsibility disputed) 1 Iraqi tanker seized United Kingdom: 1 tanker captured by Iran, later released 2 merchant ships damaged  Philippines: 1 small vessel seized, 7 crew members captured Neutral military personnel  Iraq: 5 Iraqi security forces personnel killed 13 Iraqi security forces personnel injured PS752 shootdown Total: 1 civilian aircraft shot down, 176 civilians killed  Iran 82  Canada 63  Ukraine 11  Sweden 10  Afghanistan 7  United Kingdom 3 Total: 222 killed

The Persian Gulf crisis of 2019–2020 was a time of rising military tension between Iran and the United States. It happened in the Persian Gulf area.

The U.S. sent more military forces to the region. This was to prevent possible attacks by Iran and its allies against American forces and interests in the Persian Gulf and Iraq.

This crisis followed a period of growing political problems between the two countries. The U.S. had left a nuclear agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). They also put new sanctions on Iran. The U.S. then called Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist group. In return, Iran called the United States Central Command a terrorist group.

What Caused the Tensions?

The main reason for the crisis was the U.S. leaving the nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018. This deal had limited Iran's nuclear program. After leaving the deal, the U.S. put strong economic penalties, called sanctions, on Iran. These sanctions aimed to stop Iran from selling its oil.

Important Events in the Crisis

The crisis involved several key events that made the situation worse.

Attacks on Oil Tankers

In May and June 2019, several oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman were attacked. The U.S. blamed Iran for these attacks. Iran denied being involved. These attacks made shipping in the important Strait of Hormuz very risky.

Drone Shootdowns

In June 2019, Iran shot down a large U.S. surveillance drone, the RQ-4 Global Hawk. Iran said the drone was in its airspace. The U.S. said it was in international airspace. This event brought the two countries very close to a direct military conflict.

Seizure of Ships

In July 2019, Iran's military seized a British oil tanker, the Stena Impero, in the Strait of Hormuz. This happened after a British territory, Gibraltar, had seized an Iranian tanker. The British tanker was later released.

Attacks in Iraq

There were also attacks on U.S. military bases and the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. The U.S. blamed groups supported by Iran for these attacks.

Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

A major event happened in January 2020. The U.S. carried out an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq. This strike killed Qasem Soleimani, a very important Iranian general. The U.S. said he was planning attacks on American forces. Iran saw this as an act of war.

Iran's Response to Soleimani's Death

Iran responded to Soleimani's death by launching missile attacks on Iraqi military bases where U.S. troops were stationed. No U.S. soldiers were killed in these attacks, but many suffered brain injuries.

Downing of Flight PS752

Hours after the missile attacks, Iran accidentally shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 near Tehran. All 176 people on board were killed. Iran later admitted that its military had mistakenly shot down the plane.

International Response

Many countries were worried about the rising tensions. The U.S. formed a group called the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC). This group included countries like the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. Their goal was to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf.

Other countries, like Japan, also sent ships to the region to help ensure safe passage for their vessels.

Current Situation

The crisis is still ongoing, though the most intense period was in 2019 and early 2020. The U.S. still has a military presence in the region. Sanctions on Iran remain in place. The situation in the Persian Gulf continues to be closely watched by countries around the world.

Images for kids

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  Logo of the International Maritime Security Construct

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  Weapons found on a fishing boat by the USS O'Kane (DDG-77) in December 2021.