On 14 April, 1988 the American guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts struck a mine while transiting international waters.....
That was all it took for Reagan to respond. On the 18th Operation Praying Mantis was launched:
The U.S. attack began on the morning of 18 April, and ultimately destroyed, damaged, or sank two Iranian oil platforms, three warships, several armed boats, and two fighter jets. U.S. losses were two U.S. Marine aviators who died when their helicopter crashed into the Gulf.
Do they seriously think they can do better this time?
