1986    The King Fahd Causeway is officially opened in the Persian Gulf.

1987    In retaliation for Iranian attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy disables three of Iran's offshore oil platforms.

1988    The {{USS|Samuel B. Roberts|FFG-58|6}} strikes a mine in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will.

1988    United States Navy warship {{USS|Vincennes|CG-49|6}} shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard.

1990    France announces it will send 4,000 troops to the Persian Gulf

2000    Gulf Air Flight 072 crashes into the Persian Gulf near Manama, Bahrain, killing 143.