On Tuesday, four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boats came dangerously close to a U.S. guided-missile destroyer in waters near the Strait of Hormuz, reports CNN. Video of the incident has now been released.
The U.S. Navy said that the vessels came within 300 yards of the USS Nitze and considered that distance “too close for comfort.” The ship sent multiple audio and visual warnings to the Iranian boats which eventually turned around. The Navy considers this act a violation of maritime standards and international law, saying they acted “dangerously and unprofessionally.”
From the CNN report:
Tuesday's encounter took place as the Nitze and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason were conducting what the official said was a routine transit near the internationally recognized strait. The official spoke to CNN anonymously to discuss military matters.
The four IRGC vessels approached at high speed. After identifying them, the Nitze tried 12 times to make contact by radio without receiving a response, according to the Navy official. As two of the Iranian vessels continued to barrel toward the Nitze at high speed, the destroyer used an internationally recognized maritime danger signal three times.
That signal -- five short blasts of the ship's whistle -- is used when another vessel's intentions are not understood or its indicated course is dangerous. At the same time, the Nitze also used visual warnings, firing 10 flares in the direction of the approaching vessels. Again, the destroyer got no response, the official said.
Iran, the Obama administration’s partner in nuclear armaments, has long been taunting sailors. In December of last year, Iran fired a rocket near the USS Harry Truman. Then in January, ten American sailors were captured and humiliated after being accused of straying into Iran-controlled waters. In the same month, Iran flew an unarmed drone over a US vessel. And in July, an Iranian ship sailed close to the USS New Orleans with one of our generals aboard.
Perhaps it’s time to send a stronger warning.
