| Joint Operation Arvand | |
|---|---|
| Part of thePersian Gulf Conflict and theCold War | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Objective | Escorting Iranian shipping |
| Date | 22–25 April 1969 |
| Executed by |  Iran
|
| Outcome | Iranian tactical victory[2]
|
| Casualties | None |
TheJoint Operation Arvand (Persian:عملیات مشترک اروند, more known by its Persian acronymAMA,عما)[4] was ashow of force operation[5] orchestrated in April 1969 by theImperial Iranian Armed Forces following Iraqi claim for the sovereign right toShatt al-Arab/Arvand Rud and threatening to block passage of vessels unless they fly theIraqi flag.[6]
Aware of Iraq's constrained position at the time—60,000 Iraqi troops were already deployed in Iraqi Kurdistan, and three Iraqi brigades were stationed inJordan—on the orders ofthe Shah, the Iranian merchant ship Ebn-e-Sina (Avicenna), a 1,176-ton vessel carrying a cargo of steel beams and flying the Iranian flag, was escorted on April 22, 1969, by heavily armed Iranian naval vessels and jet fighters.[7][8] The ship proceeded without lowering the Iranian flag through the river into thePersian Gulf, completing an 80-mile journey in approximately six hours.[1] Despite its earlier pledges, the Iraqi forces did not attempt to intervene.[7]
Both countries strengthened their land forces along the river bank, stationing artillery, tanks and anti-aircraft weapons. Iranian troops were positioned in the vicinity ofKhorramshahr andAbadan, while Iraq put its forces inBasra on alert. Iranian freighterArya Far passed through the river escorted by four gunboats three days later, with no disturbance.[7] Although Iraq placed its army on high alert in nearby Basra, it was unable to threaten the Iranian vessel.[8] Iran's deployment of heavy tanks, aircraft, and artillery deterred the Baath leadership from obstructing the waterway, delivering a significant setback to Baghdad.[8] While Baghdad reported the issue to the UN Security Council, the Arvand Rud Crisis marked a significant triumph for Iran.[9]
Iraq undertook retaliatory measures by mistreating and evicting Iranian residents within its borders;[8] itexpelled thousands of Iranian residents and pilgrims from its territory.[5][6] Iraq also banned the import of Iranian goods,[7] stating it was to "support the goals of the Arab nation."[8] Additionally, it began supporting separatist movements inKhuzestan andBalochistan.[5]
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