(Too) Close Encounter of Iranian and US Ships in the Gulf

(Patria) – 11 Iranian navy vessels came into close proximity with US ships in the Gulf, the US military reported, calling the move 'dangerous and provocative'.

According to the report, Iranian boats approached during a US military operation with military helicopters in international waters.

At one point, Iranian boats were 10 meters away from the US patrol boat Maui.

Several warnings were issued from the US ships via radio and sirens.

The Iranian ships left the scene after an hour, according to a statement from the US Navy.

- Dangerous and provocative activities by the Iranian navy increased the risk of miscalculation and collision, and are contrary to the internationally recognized Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, the US military statement said.  

Such incidents were frequent in 2016 and 2017, with shots fired at Iranian boats from US ships on several occasions when they came too close.

Tensions between the two countries further increased after the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by a US drone, Reuters writes. Iran retaliated on January 8 with a missile attack on the Iraqi military base Ain al-Asad where US forces are stationed, Reuters reports.