Pentagon says Iranian boats "seriously provoked" U.S. warships in Hormuz

Source: Xinhua | 01-08-2008 09:54

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Five Iranian Revolutionary Guardboats "seriously provoked" three U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, the Pentagon said Monday.

This photo shows the location of the Strait of Hormuz. Five Iranian Revolutionary Guardboats "seriously provoked" three U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, the Pentagon said Monday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Pentagon officials told reporters the Iranian boats made threatening moves and headed toward the U.S. ships at early Sunday morning local time.

The Iran boats also made threatening radio transmissions, which a U.S. official said included the taunt that "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes."

The U.S. warships manned gun positions and were prepared to shoot, but the Iranian boats suddenly turned away.

The U.S. ships were in international waters at the time.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, is a key route for international crude oil shipments.