pɹˈaɪɚ tə ðə stˈɑːɹt ʌv ˈɛɹ stɹˈaɪks ɪn dʒˈænjuːˌɛɹi nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti wˈʌn, kˌoʊəlˈɪʃən nˈeɪvəl fˈoːɹsᵻz wɜːɹ ˈɑːpɚɹˌeɪɾɪŋ ɪnðə pˈɜːʒən ɡˈʌlf tʊ ɛnfˈoːɹs sˈæŋkʃənz ɐɡˈɛnst ɪɹˈæk.
Prior to the start of air strikes in January 1991, coalition naval forces were operating in the Persian Gulf to enforce sanctions against Iraq.