In the context of the ongoing Iran-Iraq War, the USS Stark, a guided missile frigate of the United States Navy, was patrolling the Persian Gulf on the night of May 17, 1987. The ship was called to assist in a variety of activities within the tumultuous region, which had seen a significant escalation in conflict between Iraq and Iran. The Iranian Navy and Air Force were heavily engaged, and the U.S. was tasked with monitoring the situation and providing a form of deterrence. On this fateful night, an Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet executing a mission for the Iraqi Air Force approached the USS Stark undetected. The Iraqi pilot launched two Exocet anti-ship missiles at the frigate, which struck its starboard side. The explosions caused significant damage and catastrophic loss of life aboard the vessel.

The attack left 37 U.S. Navy sailors dead and injured 21 others. It was one of the deadliest incidents for the U.S. Navy during the 1980s and stirred alarm within the American government. The U.S. Navy had previously operated with a degree of confidence in safeguarding its vessels in international waters, but this incident underscored the inherent vulnerabilities that came with being involved in the peripheral conflicts of the Iran-Iraq War. In the aftermath, there was heightened scrutiny over U.S. military operations in the region, as well as the repercussions of foreign military sales and engagement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

In response, the U.S. increased its naval presence in the area to ensure greater defensive measures for its forces and allies and took steps to reassess its involvement in the ongoing conflict. The incident also raised questions about the rules of engagement under which U.S. forces operated and further complicated the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East during a tumultuous period. Consequently, it led to a reevaluation of military protocol for protecting naval vessels against missile attacks.