U.S. Navy destroyer fires warning shots at Iranian vessels - U.S. officials

[Jonathan Fairfield]

U.S. Navy destroyer fires warning shots at Iranian vessels - U.S. officials

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy destroyer fired three warning shots towards four of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels on Sunday after they closed in at a high rate of speed in the Strait of Hormuz, two U.S. defence officials told Reuters on Monday.

 

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the USS Mahan established radio communication with the boats but they did not respond to requests to slow down and instead continued asking the Mahan questions. The Navy destroyer fired warning flares and a U.S. Navy helicopter also dropped a smoke float before the warning shots were fired.

 

The Iranian vessels came within 900 yards (800 meters) of the Mahan, which was escorting two other U.S. military ships, they said.

 

The IRGC was not immediately available for comment.

 

The incident comes as President-elect Donald Trump is about to take office on Jan. 20. In September, Trump vowed that any Iranian vessels that harass the U.S. Navy in the Gulf would be "shot out of the water."

 

One official said similar incidents occur occasionally. Most recently in August, another U.S. Navy ship fired warning shots towards an Iranian fast-attack craft that approached two U.S. ships.

 

The official added that the warning shots were just one of seven interactions the Mahan had with Iranian vessels over the weekend, but the others were judged to be safe.

 

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and Chizu Nomiyama)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-09

[Scott]

I would suggest that Iran lay low for a time and get a much better feel for the lay of the land under the new administration.  

 

He's not known for his measured responses nor careful analysis of events.   

[Rhys]

This lock and load. Fire in the hole.

[hawker9000]

9 hours ago, Scott said:

I would suggest that Iran lay low for a time and get a much better feel for the lay of the land under the new administration.  

 

He's not known for his measured responses nor careful analysis of events.   

 

The CO of a US naval vessel not only has the right, but the RESPONSIBILITY to defend his ship AND ensure the safety of his crew.  This doesn't appear to have been something Obama or his wiz-kids ever really understood.  The LT who got himself and his crew taken prisoner because he "didn't want to start WWIII" is a perfect example of this conflicted mentality.   It is IRAN who should be boning up now on "measured response" and "careful analysis", not to mention military provocation.

 

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/readings/code_of_conduct.htm   (be sure to click on the 'Authority and Amendment Notes' link at the end...   The Code of Conduct IS actually an Executive Order.

 

 

[silent]

10 hours ago, Scott said:

I would suggest that Iran lay low for a time and get a much better feel for the lay of the land under the new administration.  

 

He's not known for his measured responses nor careful analysis of events.   

 

I think for some reason they assume he's like Kim and he'll just make a lot of noise and tweet them. That's actually a very scary thought. :).

[kamahele]

2 hours ago, hawker9000 said:

 

The CO of a US naval vessel not only has the right, but the RESPONSIBILITY to defend his ship AND ensure the safety of his crew.  This doesn't appear to have been something Obama or his wiz-kids ever really understood.  The LT who got himself and his crew taken prisoner because he "didn't want to start WWIII" is a perfect example of this conflicted mentality.   It is IRAN who should be boning up now on "measured response" and "careful analysis", not to mention military provocation.

 

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/readings/code_of_conduct.htm   (be sure to click on the 'Authority and Amendment Notes' link at the end...   The Code of Conduct IS actually an Executive Order.

 

 

While I'm not a fan of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Military, the incident in which their military took members of the US Navy prisoner was entirely the fault of the US Navy. They entered Iranian territorial waters without their permission. The men and women taken prisoner were smart not to retaliate. It saved their lives and perhaps the lives of others had this kicked off an armed conflict. Resolution was that all were released safely.  

[JulesMad]

"Trump vowed that any Iranian vessels that harass the U.S. Navy in the Gulf would be "shot out of the water." "

 

Good on you, trumpy! THAT is the way to start WWIII

 

Hopefully you will be shot out of the water when you harass people....

[chilli42]

Iran has more to lose through provocation.  Their ships have been told to harass but not engage. They are simply testing US resolve.  A black eye should tell them all they need to know.