Iranian Speed Boats ‘Harassed’ US Warship Near Strait Of Hormuz

The USS Nitze and a guided missile destroyer were intercepted by four Iranian military boats near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to US defense officials. US officials said four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels performed a “high-speed intercept” of the Nitze and ignored attempts to communicate, acting in an “unprofessional” manner. RT reports: The Nitze and guided missile destroyer USS Mason encountered the Iranians in international waters, where four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boats approached the warships at high speed, Stars and Stripes reported. The Nitze hailed the boats by radio 12 times with no response, the statement said. After two of the Iranian boats came closer, the US crew used its ship whistle and flares in an attempt to communicate with the Iranians, but those attempts were also ignored. The destroyer ultimately changed course to steer clear of the Iranian vessels. The Iranians allegedly came as close as 300 yards (274 meters) of the Nitze during the encounter. “These sorts of unsafe and unprofessional actions can lead to escalation and miscalculation, which may necessitate additional defensive measures,” said Commander Bill Urban, public affairs officer for US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). “Commanding officers have an inherent obligation [...]