US Navy fires warning shots in north Arabia Gulf

The US navy has fired warning shots after two Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats “buzzed” US naval ships in the North Arabian Gulf. Unlike a previous encounter earlier this month, this incident occurred at night, raising the risks.

In a statement, the US Navy said: “Three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fast inshore attack craft failed to exercise due regard for the safety of other vessels as required under international law as they came into close proximity to U.S. naval vessels in international waters of the north Arabian Gulf.”

The closest point of approach was 68 yards to both U.S. ships. The fast boats darted around the U.S. vessels at, “unnecessarily close range with unknown intent,” the statement said.

American crews issued multiple warnings via radio and loud-hailer, but the IRGCN vessels persisted in coming close to the US vessels. Shots were then fired.

“The U.S. is not an aggressor; our naval forces remain postured in a non-provocative manner,” the statement reiterated. The U.S. Navy contends that the reckless nature of the Iranian vessels and the failure to adhere to international conventions, “increased the risk of miscalculation and/or collision.”