Hours after Iraqi Invasion of Iran began, he became involved in the war. In the Operation Kaman 99, he was the leader of an 8-aircraft squadron tasked to attack Baghdad. Khalatbari was Iran’s military delegate in the International Court of Justice case United States Diplomatic and Consular Staff in Tehran. His mission was set to last for two months, however he returned to Iran after 15 days, stating “I cannot spend night and day in Switzerland, when the enemy’s fighters do not leave my countrymen in peace.”