Editing Iran–Iraq War (section)

====Battle of Mehran====
{{Main|Battle of Mehran (1986)}}
Immediately after the Iranian capture of al-Faw, Saddam declared a new offensive against Iran, designed to drive deep into the state. The Iranian border city of [[Mehran, Ilam|Mehran]], on the foot of the Zagros Mountains, was selected as the first target. On 15–19 May, Iraqi Army's Second Corps, supported by helicopter gunships, attacked and captured the city. Saddam then offered to exchange Mehran for al-Faw. The Iranians rejected the offer. Iraq then continued the attack, attempting to push deeper into Iran. Iraq's attack was quickly warded off by Iranian AH-1 Cobra helicopters with [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]] missiles, which destroyed numerous Iraqi tanks and vehicles.<ref name="Farrokh 03" />{{page needed|date=September 2020}}

The Iranians built up their forces on the heights surrounding Mehran. On 30 June, using mountain warfare tactics, they launched their attack, recapturing the city by 3 July. Saddam ordered the Republican Guard to retake the city on 4 July, but their attack was ineffective. Iraqi losses were heavy enough to allow the Iranians to also capture territory inside Iraq, and depleted the Iraqi military enough to prevent them from launching a major offensive for the next two years. Iraq's defeats at al-Faw and at Mehran were severe blows to its prestige, but Western powers, including the US, became more determined to prevent an Iraqi loss.<ref name="Farrokh 03" />{{page needed|date=September 2020}}