US Says Iranian Navy Boat Came Within 150 Yards Of Its Warships

The US military said on Tuesday that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy boat came within 150 yards of American warships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US CENTCOM in a statement said that the situation was de-escalated with the help of audible warnings and non-lethal use of lasers.

The incident took place on December 5 during a routine transit in international waters. “The Iranian vessel attempted to blind the bridge by shining a spotlight and crossed within 150 yards of the US ships – dangerously close particularly at night,” CENTCOM said.

"The IRGCN’s actions violated international standards of professional and safe maritime behavior, increasing the risk of miscalculation and collision," the statement added.

Iran has engaged in provocative approaches to the US NAVY in the region many times throughout the years, with Americans firing warning shots on a few occasions.

“This dangerous action in international waters is indicative of Iran’s destabilizing activity across the Middle East,” the statement quoted CENTCOM spokesman Col. Joe Buccino as saying.

Expeditionary sea base platform ship USS Lewis B. Puller and guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans “were conducting a routine transit in international waters” when the Iranian patrol boat approached.

High-ranking Iranian commanders have been praising their navy this week as the true guarantor of security in the Persian Gulf region.