Monday, January 7, 2008

Iran Engages US Warships

CNN reported today that Five Iranian naval vessels harassed three US warships and broadcast threatening messages late Saturday in an incident in international waters in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

1 comment:

Mark Pyruz said...

The Iranian Foreign Ministry claims it was a case of mistaken identity. It appears that the FM and IRGC are somewhat out of step, similar to the IRGC action involving the seizure of British sailors in the disputed territorial waters of the Persian Gulf.

There doesn't yet appear to be sufficient data with which to make an adequate analysis on this matter. The possibility of an accidental incident taking place in the Gulf has been identified, and there has been cause for proposing formal agreements between the US and Iran concerning naval traffic in the Gulf.

If the report is accurate, that IRGC naval craft charged elements of the USN and dropped boxes, causing the ships to take evasive action, then it is possible the intent of the exercise was to surprise and test for USN reaction. It could also be a psychological maneuver, similar to the undetected bulls eye spray painted on a USN warship in the Gulf. Risky business for all involved in this ME cold war.