The USS Hopper, seen in a file photo, was one of the ships harassed by Iranian boats, officials say.
WASHINGTON
Reuters
Five Iranian boats made aggressive manoeuvres and showed hostile intent towards three U.S. Navy ships at the weekend in the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route in the Gulf, the Pentagon said on Monday.
The Pentagon said the incident was serious. It described the Iranian actions as “careless, reckless and potentially hostile” and said Tehran should provide an explanation.
In Tehran, the Iranian foreign ministry described the incident as ordinary.
“The example that happened on Saturday was similar to previous cases and is an ordinary and natural issue,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
“This is an ordinary issue that happens for the two sides every once in a while and, after the identification of the two sides, the issue is resolved.”
The incident was the latest sign of tension between Washington and Tehran, at odds over a range of issues from Iran’s nuclear programme to U.S. allegations of Iranian support for terrorism.
U.S. President George W. Bush is due to travel to the Middle East this week on a trip he has said is partly aimed at countering Iranian influence.
“We urge the Iranians to refrain from such provocative actions that could lead to a dangerous incident in the future,” White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
Wild Thing’s comment……..
It appears the Iranians are trying to downplay the event.
Published: 01.07.08, 19:01 / Israel News
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini defined the incident in the Strait of Hormuz between Iranian and US Navy vessels as “something normal taking place every now and then for each party and it is settled after identification of the two parties,” the IRNA news agency reported.
“The case happening on Saturday was similar to the past ones and it was a regular and natural issue,” said Hosseini. (Dudi Cohen)
Is this a media stunt, with the media falling for it? Or is it a serious breach of the Rule of the Sea in international waters? If it is the latter, I hope we don’t do what the Royal Navy did and back off.
I can just see the agent of “change”, President Obama, and President Ahmadinanutjob water skiing in the Strait of Hormuz talking about world peace and nuclear energy. No more of this Bush cowboy diplomacy harassing the Iranians and their Navy who only want to be our friends.
Tom, what is telling is how it was said by Iran it was no big deal and our side said it was. With our side urging them to cease doing this kind of thing again. Iran pushing our buttons once more.
Les, “agent of “change” Obama, would probably cheer Iran on.