U.S. Navy Ship Fires Warning Shots Over Iranian Boat

[Boats]

U.S. Navy Ship Fires Warning Shots Over Iranian Boat
The Iranian vessel did not respond to initial attempts to hail them.
By Jay Bennett - Jul 25, 2017
RE: http://www.popularmechanics.com/mili...-patrol-boats/

The U.S. Navy fired warning shots over an Iranian ship on Tuesday in the northern Persian Gulf, according to a report from Defense Department officials supplied to ABC. The incident involved the USS Thunderbolt (pictured above in 2007), a Cyclone-class patrol ship that is currently conducting exercises in the Persian Gulf along with other U.S. Navy warships.

The Iranian boat approached within 150 yards of the Thunderbolt, which attempted to hail the boat with radio, and then fired flares and issued five blasts from the ship's siren, an international signal of danger. When the Iranian boat failed to respond, the Thunderbolt fired warning shots from its 50-caliber machine gun, which prompted the Iranian boat to change course and leave the vicinity.

The United States and Iran have had similar encounters in the Persian Gulf multiple times in recent years. The last incident occurred in January 2017, when the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Mahan fired heavy machine guns over five armed Iranian patrol boats. After Russia and the United States, Iran is the most active foreign military force in the ongoing conflict in Syria.

[Boats]

BREAKING: US Navy vessel opens fire on Iranian ship in Persian Gulf as war tensions mount
By WILL KIRBY - PUBLISHED: 15:19, Tue, Jul 25, 2017 | UPDATED: 15:52, Tue, Jul 25, 2017
RE: http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/...d-war-tensions

The USS Thunderbolt, a Cyclone-class patrol, was involved in the incident as it took part in exercises with other vessels in the Gulf.

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The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Iranian naval vessel came within 150 yards (137 metres) of the Thunderbolt. The official said the Iranian vessel did not respond to radio calls, flares and warning sirens, forcing US sailors to fire the warning shots.

Iranian authorities have not yet immediately reported the incident.

The vessel appeared to be from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the official added.

The Iranian boat stopped “dead in the water” after the warning shots were fired, the US official added, and all vessels in the immediate vicinity left the area.

This is not the first “unsafe or unprofessional” encounter between US and Iranian ships in the region - in fact, the US Navy recorded 58 dangerous instances in 2015 and 2016.

In one of the worst instances last year, 10 US sailors were captured and held overnight by Iranian forces.

Images later emerged showing the sailors on their knees with their hands on their heads.

This latest incident will raise fears about the possibility of conflict between the two nations, with relations already hostile.

Last year, Washington lifted sanctions on Tehran as part of a deal to curb the development of Iran's nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump recently said Iran was complying with its nuclear agreement with the international community.