US warship fires warning shots at IRGC boats in Persian Gulf
For the second time this month, Revolutionary Guards boats have reportedly approached American vessels in the Persian Gulf. In the latest incident, which occurred on Monday, the American vessel was forced to fire warning shots.
The US Navy announced on Tuesday, April 27, that a US patrol boat fired warning shots when IRGC boats approached it.
According to the Associated Press, the US Navy has released black-and-white footage of the confrontation in international waters in the northern Persian Gulf.
In the video, gunshots can be heard and lights can be seen nearby, along with a tracer bullet above the water surface.
Iran has not yet reacted to this news.
The US Navy said that Revolutionary Guard boats approached two US patrol boats, the Firebolt and the Baranov, in the Persian Gulf on Monday, April 26.
The two vessels initially warned the Iranian boats via loudspeaker and radio, but after three warnings and when the boats approached within 62 meters, the Firebolt fired a warning shot.
Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the US Fifth Fleet in the Middle East, said that after several warnings via loudspeaker and radio, the crew of the Firebolt fired a warning shot, after which the IRGC boats moved away and remained at a "safe distance."
He has asked the Revolutionary Guards to act with due regard to the security of all ships and as required by international law.
Rebecca Rebaric stressed that "the US Navy remains vigilant. Our personnel are trained to conduct themselves professionally, while our commanders reserve the right to defend themselves."
The US Navy said the move could have increased the "risk of miscalculation or confrontation."
This is the second reported confrontation between Iranian and American vessels in the Persian Gulf this month. On Tuesday, the US Navy released footage of IRGC boats approaching the USS Wrangel and USS Monomoy on April 2.
Source: DW
