September 1980 Iraqi airstrikes on Iran
| September 1980 Iraqi strikes on Iran | |
|---|---|
| Part of Iraqi invasion of Iran and Iran–Iraq War | |
Explosion in Mehrabad Air Base in Tehran after Iraqi forces attacked Tehran on September 22, 1980 | |
| Type | Preemptive strike |
| Location | |
| Planned by | Ba'athist Iraq |
| Target | Iranian Air Force |
| Date | 22 September 1980 |
| Executed by | Iraqi Air Force |
| Outcome | Iraqi operational success
|
On 22 September 1980, Iraq under Saddam Hussein launched surprise airstrikes on various military targets, airports, oil refineries, and ports in Iran to support its ground invasion, marking the beginning of the Iran–Iraq War. The Iraqi Air Force had successfully destroyed much of the Iranian Air Force infrastructure and most of Iran's fuel storage facilities, however the majority of Iranian aircraft survived the attacks. Iran condemned the Iraqi strikes and accused the United States of supporting the air assault.