died, including 65 children or infants. The two effects of Earnest Will – Praying Mantis and the airliner's downing – helped convince Iran to agree to a ceasefire on 18 July 1988 and a permanent end to hostilities on 20 August 1988, ending its eight-year war with Iraq. On 26 September 1988, escorted the operation's last tanker to Kuwait. The remaining SEALs, patrol boats, and helicopters then returned to the U.S. See also Iran Air Flight 655 References Further reading (about the Stark attack) (U.S. Navy operations in the Gulf) (Detailed look at guided missile frigate's operations and mine attack) (Account of Operation Praying Mantis) (Puts Operation Praying Mantis in broader historical context) External links Photos from Operation Earnest Will and Prime Chance March to October, 1988 Operation Earnest Will on GlobalSecurity.org Photos of Operation Earnest Will Attack Squadron 95 Photo Gallery of Operation Earnest Will 1987 in the United States 1988 in the United States 20th-century military history of the United States Operations involving American special forces Military operations involving the United States Military operations of the Iran–Iraq War United States Marine Corps in the 20th century Battles and conflicts without fatalities Iran–Kuwait relations Iran–United States military relations Kuwait–United States relations