US Navy ship fires warning shots after multiple ships 'harassed' by Iranian attack craft

MC1 Michelle Turner

Just one day after video emerged of Iranian ships swarming and harassing the USS Nitze, Business Insider has confirmed a separate incident on Wednesday involving the USS Squall, a coastal-patrol ship, in the northern Arabian Gulf.

Cmdr. Bill Urban of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet told Business Insider that several incidents occurred where Iranian navy ships showed wanton disregard for safety and internationally recognized maritime law. 

The USS Tempest and USS Squall were "operating in international waters of the northern Arabian Gulf when three IRGCN [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy] vessels approached at high speed." The vessels veered within 600 yards of the US Navy ships despite auditory and visual warnings from their crews.

Later on, Urban says a Naser-class fast-attack craft charged the Tempest and came within 200 yards. At this point the Tempest fired three flares at the Iranian vessel.

MC1 Michelle Turner

"This situation presented a drastically increased risk of collision," Urban said in an email to Business Insider.

"Ultimately, Squall resorted to firing three warning shots from their 50-caliber gun, which caused the Iranian vessel to turn away."

Finally, two of the same craft from the second encounter harassed the guided-missile destroyer USS Stout, repeatedly crossing in front of the ship's bow. The Stout maneuvered away without incident. 

Urban stressed that the Navy had been operating in international waters and in accordance with international law.

Reuters notes that the recent uptick in incidents between Iranian and US vessels harkens back to the high tensions before the Iran nuclear deal somewhat normalized relations.

However, the hardline Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which has lobbied against the nuclear deal, has continued to seek to increase tensions with the US. In June, Iran briefly captured 11 US sailors in the same region and went on to frame the capture as a huge propaganda win.

The US and Iran are currently at odds, as Iran staunchly supports Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, who Obama has called on to step down. Also, Iran is openly hostile toward Israel, a major US ally. 

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