List of extensive Iranian ground operations in the Iran-Iraq war

This list of extensive Iranian ground operations in the Iran-Iraq war introduces 28 of the most important Iranian ground operations during the eight years of the Iran-Iraq war, which are known as extensive operations. In this article, extensive operations are classified into 3 categories, northern front, middle front and southern front, based on the operational front. The set of information introduced for each operation includes: the name of the operation, the date of the start and end of the operation, the area of the operation, the code of the operation, the forces operating in each operation and a summary of the most important achievements in each operation.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

The eight-year Iran-Iraq war commenced on September 22, 1980, though signs of Saddam Hussein’s intent to invade Iran had been apparent for several months prior. Initial clashes with Iraq erupted in the west on September 4, 1980, while minor skirmishes along the southern border began on September 13. The following day, September 14, marked the first martyr of the war in the south, a soldier from the Omidiyeh Corps. In response to this aggression, Iran’s courageous forces mobilized to defend their homeland, conducting numerous operations across land, air, and sea with exceptional dedication. Operation Kaman 99, also known as Operation Shadow of Alborz, was a major Iranian air assault launched on the war’s first day and is regarded as the largest Air Force military operation. This mission involved 200 Iranian aircraft, 140 of which penetrated Iraqi airspace to strike military installations, airfields, and hangars, including Kirkuk, Rashid, Ali, and Al-Taqaddum Air Bases, as well as targets in Mosul, Nasiriyah, Shuaibiyah, Kut, Basra, Umm Qasr, Al-Muthanna, and Baghdad International Airport. The remaining 60 planes provided essential support during the operation.^[8] Given the strategic and economic significance of the Al-Bakr and Al-Amaya oil platforms for the Ba’athist regime, Iran’s Navy targeted these installations from the outset. In November 1980, through two naval operations—“Ashkan” and “Shahid Safari”—Iran successfully destroyed these key oil terminals, thereby crippling the enemy’s oil export capabilities and inflicting economic hardship.^[9]

Southern front

Name of the operation	Start date	End date	Battle zone	Operation code	Operating forces	Operation results
Operation Dezful	October 15, 1980	October 20, 1980	Andimeshk, Karkheh river, west of Naderi bridge, Qahveh Kaneh three-way	-	Army	The Iranian Army aimed to halt Iraq’s advance but was repelled by a flank counterattack. Poor decisions, a purge of commanders after the Nojeh coup plot, and underestimating Iraqi firepower led to a retreat to the east bank of the Dez River near Dezful.
Operation Nasr	January 5, 1981	January 8, 1981	Hoveyzeh, Karkheh Koor, Dasht-e Azadegan	-	Army and Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line	Three Iranian armored regiments advanced on Iraqi forces near Ahvaz, Susangerd, and Dezful. Alerted, the Iraqis feigned retreat and set a three-sided ambush. After four days of muddy tank battles, the Iranians withdrew, abandoning many damaged tanks. This was the biggest tank battle of the war.
Tawakkul Operation	January 10, 1981	January 10, 1981	North of Abadan, Mahshahr three-way	-	Army	The effort of Iranian forces to prevent the siege of Abadan and prevent Iraqi forces from passing through Karun failed.
Operation Farmandeh Kole Ghowa	June 11, 1981	June 15, 1981	Abadan, Darkhoveyn	-	IRGC	Iranian victory
Operation Samen-ol-A'emeh	September 27, 1981	September 27, 1981	-	Arabic: نصرمن‌الله و فتحٌ‌قریب	Army and IRGC	Recapturing the eastern bank of the Karun River - removing Abadan from the one-year siege - liberating more than 150 square kilometers of land occupied by the Iraqi army - the most classic operation of the Iranian forces during the war, which was completely based on military principles.
Operation Tariq al-Quds	November 29, 1981	December 6, 1981	North and South of Karkheh, Dasht-e Azadegan	Arabic: حسین‌بن‌علی	Army and IRGC	Liberation of Bostan and 70 villages in the region and 5 border checkpoints - occupation of Allaho Akbar region and Chazabeh Defile.
Operation Fath ol-Mobin	March 22, 1982	March 30, 1982	West of Karkheh	Arabic: یازهرا (س)	Army and IRGC	Recapture of 2,500 square kilometers of Iranian territory from Iraqi forces - Liberation of the strategic road from Dezful to Dehloran - Capture of Abu Gharib oil wells in the Tineh Heights - Capture of 15,000 Iraqi soldiers by Iranian forces.
Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas	April 30, 1982	May 24, 1982	Khorramshahr, Dasht-e Azadegan	Arabic: یا علی‌ابن‌ابیطالب علیه‌السّلام	Army and IRGC	Liberation of Khorramshahr and Hoveyzeh area and Hamid barracks - destruction of 20% of the Iraqi army - liberation of 5038 square kilometers from the occupied areas - extensive withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Khuzestan province and their positioning around the city of Basra to counter a possible attack by Iranian forces
Operation Ramadan	July 13, 1982	July 29, 1982	East of Basra	Arabic: یا صاحب‌الزمان ادرکنی	Army and IRGC	It featured the use of human wave attacks in the largest land battle since World War II. The engagement was a part of the overall stalemate, and was the first encounter of the Iranian forces with the triangular trenches. This resulted in the failure of Basra's siege, which was the objective of the operation.
Operation Muslim ibn Aqil	October 1, 1982	October 7, 1982	Sumar region	Arabic: یا ابوالفضل العباس	Army and IRGC	The Iranian operation aimed to capture heights overlooking Mandali, secure the middle-front border, protect liberated Iranian territory, and expel Iraqi forces west of Sumar. The operation was successful.
Operation Muharram	November 1, 1982	November 11, 1982	Musian - "Miyan Hamrin" border heights - southeast of Dehloran	Arabic: یا زینب (س)	Army and IRGC	Seizing the Musian and Bayat oil resources as well as the Zubaidat oil ponds, which consisted of 700 oil wells - Seizing the road from Tayyeb to Shahrani - Seizing the supply road from Baghdad to Basra - The troops reached the 50 km long border point. The first motorcycle RPG battalion was used in this operation.
Operation Before the Dawn	February 6, 1983	February 10, 1983	Fakkeh, Chazabeh	Arabic: یاالله-یاالله-یاالله	IRGC	Iranian forces launched an offensive near Amarah, 200 km southeast of Baghdad, led by the IRGC with army support. The operation resulted in heavy Iranian losses due to poor air support and intense Iraqi artillery and airstrikes. The offensive failed to capture the Ghazilah bridge and Amarah city.
Operation Dawn	April 10, 1983	April 17, 1983	Jebele Foqi - north of Fakkeh	Arabic: یاالله-یاالله-یاالله	Army	The partial achievement of the Iranian forces to the desired heights - the weakness of the command of the ground forces due to excessive reliance on the artillery unit - the failure to join the units to each other after the end of the operation - the retreat of the Iranian forces to their previous positions after a few days.
Operation Dawn 2	July 20, 1983	August 4, 1983	Haji Omeran	-	Army and IRGC	Cooperation of Barzani Kurds with Iranian forces - the leak of the operation by the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan to the Iraqi forces - 80% of the objectives of the operation were realized. Also, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran exposed many documents obtained about them.
Operation Kheibar	February 22, 1984	March 12, 1984	Hawizeh Marshes	Arabic: یا رسول‌الله	Army and IRGC	In the northern axis of the operation (Al-Aziz), Iranian forces were able to reach the Tigris River and cut off the traffic of vehicles on the Basra-Baghdad route. Capture of two Majnoon Island with an area of 160 square kilometers - Capture of 50 oil wells - Iraq's extensive use of chemical weapons - The start of tanker war
Operation Badr	March 10, 1985	March 17, 1985	Hawizeh Marshes - north of Basra	Arabic: یا فاطمه‌الزّهرا (س)	Army and IRGC	The slow progress of Iranian forces in Iraqi positions to the east of the Tigris and the failure to cross it - the inability of Iranian forces to fire properly at Iraqi forces due to the lack of facilities - retreat from half of the captured areas after a week - the start of the city war
Operation Ghader	July 15, 1985	September 9, 1985	Erbil province of Iraq	-	Army and IRGC	Liberation of Sarsepandar, Kalazardeh and Barbarzindoost heights
Operation Dawn 8	February 9, 1986	April 18, 1986	Faw peninsula	Arabic: یا فاطمه‌الزهرا (س)	IRGC and Army	The capture of the city of Faw, Ras al-Bisheh, the Faw road to Basra - cutting off Iraq's access to the Persian Gulf - the most extensive use of chemical weapons during the war by the Iraqi army - the capture of 3,000 Iraqi soldiers by Iranian forces - the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 582 - the construction of the "Basat" bridge Using 5,000 pipes on Arvand River - chemical injury of more than 15,000 Iranian soldiers in 17 days - Robert McFarlane's arrival in Tehran.
Operation Karbala-4	December 24, 1986	December 26, 1986	West of Minu Island - Abu Al-Khaseeb	Arabic: محمدرسول‌الله	IRGC	The operation plan was leaked before it began because AWACS planes picked up the information - blocking the digging of the canal in the main passage of the Axis and filling it with Mazut to defeat the Iranian forces - the failure of the Iranian forces in capturing the islands of Umm ar-Rasas and Abu Al-Khaseeb after 48 hours and the order to stop Operations by commanders.
Siege of Basra	January 9, 1987	February 23, 1987	East of Basra	Arabic: یا زهرا (س)	IRGC and Army	Approval of Resolution 598 - Advancement of 12 km towards Basra - Capture of 11 Iraqi Army Camps - Liberation of 150 km of Iran's territory - Destruction of 81 independent brigades and battalions of the Iraqi Army - Capture of Bubiyan Lake - Liberation of 4 Iranian border posts.
Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas 7	June 12, 1988	June 15, 1988	Shalamcheh	Arabic: یا اباعبدالله‌الحسین	IRGC	The purpose of this operation was only to weaken the morale and war machine of Iraq in the southern part of the fish breeding channel. Iranian forces returned to their original positions with the first Iraqi attack without any resistance.
Operation Labbeik Ya Khomeini			West of Karun	Arabic: فنای‌فی‌الله	IRGC

Middle front

Name of the operation	Start date	End date	Battle zone	Operation code	Operating forces	Operation results
Battle of Mehran	June 30, 1986	July 10, 1986	Qalavizan heights to Mehran city	Arabic: یا اباالفضل‌العباس ادرکنی	IRGC and Army	Recapture of the city of Mehran and the strategic heights of Qalavizan and Hamrin - liberation of the road from Dehloran to Mehran - liberation of 2 border checkpoints.
Operation Karbala-6	January 14, 1987	January 14, 1987	Naft Shahr and north of Sumar	Arabic: یا زهرا (س)	Army	Iranian forces achieved victory in liberating Iran's "Naft Shahr" city and Iraq's "Naft Khaneh" city.

Northern front

Name of the operation	Start date	End date	Battle zone	Operation code	Operating forces	Operation results
Operation Dawn-4	October 19, 1983	November 21, 1983	Penjwen	Arabic: یاالله-یاالله-یاالله	Army, IRGC and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan	The Iraqi army's resistance in the region exceeded initial expectations, prompting both sides to significantly escalate their efforts. As a result, Operation Dawn-4 evolved from a limited engagement into a large-scale offensive. During the operation, Iranian forces succeeded in capturing approximately 700 square kilometers of Iraqi territory.
Operation Ghader	November 21, 1983	September 9, 1985	Sidekan	Arabic: یا صاحب‌الزمان (عج)	Army	Following the failure of Badr operation, operational leadership was transferred to the regular army, including responsibility for liberating the Oshnavieh-Piranshahr area, previously held by the IRGC. However, the army also failed, attempting and failing to capture the area three times over two months before ultimately halting the operation.
Operation Karbala 10	April 14, 1987	April 25, 1987	Baneh, Sardasht, Mavout axis	Arabic: یا صاحب‌الزمان ادرکنی	IRGC and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan	The slow advance of Iranian forces on the difficult roads of the region - failure to achieve half of the initial goals of the operation - advancement of 34 kilometers in Iraqi territory - grounding of the forces of both sides in the heights of Shakh Qoolan.
Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas 2	January 15, 1988	January 22, 1988	The height of Qomish, Sulaymaniyah, Mavout	Arabic: یا زهرا (س)	IRGC	Iran's first operation was in the winter, which brought a partial victory in order to score points for the end of the war - the capture of the heights of Qomish, Vivlan and the Goujar Strait were the achievements of this operation.
Operation Dawn 10	March 14, 1988	March 19, 1988	Halabja, Sulaymaniyah	Arabic: یا رسول‌الله (ص)	IRGC and Army	This operation was a complete success and the towns of Halabja, Dojileh and Khurmal were captured by Iranian forces - the siege of the Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah - the chemical bombing of the Iraqi city of Halabja by the Ba'ath regime
Operation Mersad	July 26, 1988	July 30, 1988	Kermanshah province	Arabic: یا صاحب‌الزمان عجل‌الله تعالی وجه‌الشریف	Army and IRGC	The last battle of the Iran-Iraq war. The Iranian army and Revolutionary Guard moved north from Khuzestan, encircling and suppressing the remaining resistance in the city of Kerend-e Gharb on 29 July 1988 - Acceptance of the Resolution 598 by Saddam Hussein - expressing Britain's desire to re-establish diplomatic relations - sending UN peacekeeping forces to the borders of the two countries and establishing lasting peace.

See also

• List of revolutions and rebellions
• List of political parties in Iran
• List of Persia-related topics
• Borders of Iran
• Law of "confrontation with human-rights violations and USA adventuresome and terrorist measures in the region"
• Iranian Government's Reciprocal and Proportional Action in Implementing the JCPOA Act
• Iran Nuclear Achievements Protection Act
• Specialized Commissions of the Parliament of Iran
• The law countering the hostile actions of the Zionist regime against peace and security
• Office of Literature and Art of Resistance