The World - News from June 5, 1987

The Reagan Administration is debating whether to strike preemptively against Iran’s Silkworm missiles if those weapons are deployed against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials told the Washington Post. The National Security Council has focused on the Silkworm issue, sources said, discussing options ranging from a preemptive strike to waiting until a ship flying the U.S. flag is actually threatened by the missiles. Soon, the U.S. flag is to be flown by 11 Kuwaiti tankers under a plan to provide American protection for oil traffic. U.S. intelligence agencies estimate that the Silkworm missiles could be ready for use as early as July 1.