Joint Operation Arvand

The Joint Operation Arvand (Persian: عملیات مشترک اروند‎, more known by its Persian acronym AMA, عما)[6] was a show of force operation[2] orchestrated in April 1969 by the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces following Iraqi claim for the sovereign right to Shatt al-Arab/Arvand Rud and threatening to block passage of vessels unless they fly Iraqi flag.[3]

Joint Operation Arvand
Part of the Persian Gulf Conflict and the Cold War
Location of the operation
Type	Show of force
Location	Shatt al-Arab river, Iran–Iraq border
Objective	Escorting Iranian shipping
Date	22–25 April 1969
Executed by	Iran Imperial Iranian Navy: 2 ships Imperial Iranian Air Force: a squadron of F4 Phantom[1] Imperial Iranian Army
Outcome	Iranian victory Iran established control over Arvand Rud[2] Iraq expelled thousands of Iranian residents and pilgrims from its soil[2][3] Iraq banned import of Iranian goods[4] Iraq began supporting Iranian separatists in Khuzestan and Balochistan[2] Tensions continued between the two countries until 1975 Algiers Agreement[5]
Casualties	None

On 22 April 1969, Iranian merchant ship Ebn-e-Sina, carrying a cargo of steel beams and flying Iranian flag, was escorted by Iranian heavily armed naval vessels, as well as jet fighters[4] and proceeded through the river into the Persian Gulf, in an 80-mile journey which took about six hours.[1] However, the Iraqi forces did not attempt to respond as it pledged.[4]

Both countries strengthened their land forces along the river bank, stationing artillery, tanks and anti-aircraft weapons. Iranian troops were positioned in the vicinity of Khorramshahr and Abadan, while Iraq put its forces in Basra on alert.[4]

Iranian freighter Arya Far passed through the river escorted by four gunboats three days later, with no disturbance.[4]