U.S., Iranian military vessels have near miss in Persian Gulf
Karoun Demirjian - Yesterday 4:40 PM
The United States and Iran had their latest near miss Monday, after three vessels controlled by Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps buzzed two American ships at what the U.S. military called “dangerously high speed.”
The USS Sirocco, a Cyclone-class patrol ship, and the USNS Choctaw County, a fast transport vessel, were in routine transit through international waters in the Persian Gulf when three Iranian boats designed for fast attack approached the Sirocco head on, according to a U.S. military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the encounter. They diverted only after the Sirocco issued an audible warning signal. The Iranian boats also came within 50 yards of the Choctaw County, prompting the Sirocco to deploy a warning flare.
The Iranian navy’s actions “did not meet the international standards of professional or safe maritime behavior, increasing the risk of miscalculation and collision,” said Col. Joseph Buccino, spokesman for U.S. Central Command. “CENTCOM forces will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere in the area of responsibility international law allows while promoting regional stability.”
Monday’s dramatic interaction, lasting about an hour, ended when the Iranian ships departed the area, officials said.
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It was the latest close encounter between Iranian and American vessels in the gulf.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u-s-iranian-military-vessels-have-near-miss-in-persian-gulf/ar-AAYG1nv?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=a5bd578fb73f41c483d65fd4be9fbd42
