U.S. Ships Provoked Iranian Boats Conducting “Routine” Patrol in Hormuz Strait: Iranian IRGC

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has claimed that the U.S. provoked its boats while they were conducting routine patrol in the Strait of Hormuz on May 10.

Meanwhile, the U.S. said 13 IRGC fast boats precariously approached its vessels that were escorting guided missile submarine USS Georgia. To shoo away “harassing” Iranian ships, 30 warning shots were fired from the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Maui from a 50 caliber machine gun.

On Tuesday, the IRGC issued a statement rejecting U.S.’ claims. Iran said its patrol vessels were conducting their “routine daily missions in the territorial waters” of Iran on Monday when they encountered seven U.S. vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. It said the Americans displayed unprofessional behavior such as “flying helicopters, shooting flares and aimless, provocative shooting.”

The service called the U.S. Navy’s account “untrue” and said it was part of an “escape-forward” strategy. The Iranian force further urged the Americans not to resort to “false narratives and unprofessional behavior” and seriously adhere to international sea lane regulations.

“This is while it is the Americans that have, through their illegitimate presence, become the source of instability, threats and dangers, causing insecurity in the region, including in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf,” the IRGC statement further read.

On Aprril 26, three IRGCN fast inshore attack craft approached U.S. Navy vessels in a similar fashion as today's incident. Then, U.S. ships issued warnings as they did today. When those warnings failed, the USS Firebolt fired warning shots and the IRGCN ships moved away to a safe distance.