US says Iranian vessel interacted in ‘unsafe’ manner with navy ships

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - An Iranian vessel interacted in an "unsafe and unprofessional manner" with US Navy ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday.

“The IRGCN’s actions violated international standards of professional and safe maritime behavior, increasing the risk of miscalculation and collision,” CENTCOM said in the statement, referring to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

US Navy ships were conducting a routine transit in international waters when the IRGCN patrol boat approached, CENTCOM said.

The incident happened on the evening of Dec. 5, it said, adding that the Iranian vessel attempted to “blind the bridge by shining a spotlight and crossed within 150 yards of the U.S. ships – dangerously close, particularly at night.”

It added that the US ships “deescalated” the situation and continued their transit “without further incident.”​​​​​​​

“This dangerous action in international waters is indicative of Iran’s destabilizing activity across the Middle East,” said CENTCOM spokesperson Col. Joe Buccino.