Operation Praying Mantis was an attack Attack on 18 April 1988 , by U.S. forces within Iranian territorial waters in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq War and the subsequent damage Damaging to an American warship .

On 6 November 2003 , the International Court of Justice ruled Legal_rulings that `` the actions of the United States of America against Iranian oil platforms on 19 October 1987 ( Operation Nimble Archer ) and 18 April 1988 ( Operation Praying Mantis ) can not be justified Justifying as measures necessary to protect Defending the essential security interests of the United States of America . ''