Iran has announced it has increased patrols in the Gulf as a result of US military activities in the region.
In a statement on Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accused the US Navy of “dangerous behaviour while ignoring warnings”, after saying the US had blocked one of its ships in two separate incidents in early April.
The IRGC also accused the US of making up a “Hollywood version of events” following an incident in the Gulf last week.
“We advise the Americans to follow international regulations and maritime protocols in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and to refrain from any adventurism and false and fake stories,” the statement said.
The US had accused Iran of “harassing” its ships in the region, saying 11 vessels provoked six US ships involved in military operations – passing close to them at high speed.
BREAKING: 11 Iranian #IRGCN vessels repeatedly conducted dangerous & harassing approaches against U.S. naval ships operating in international waters of North Arabian Gulf. U.S. crews took actions deemed appropriate to avoid collision.
Details: https://t.co/ZVKPKv738o pic.twitter.com/lKJgDz0l2N
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) April 15, 2020
Tensions between the US and Iran reached a boiling point in January after a US air strike killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Iran responded by launching missiles at Iraqi military bases hosting US forces.
Source » forcesnetwork