Video of Gulf incident released
Pentagon releases video of Iranian speedboats 'buzzing' three warships in Gulf
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Wednesday, 09, Jan 2008 09:51
The Pentagon has released video and audio footage of Iranian speedboats charging three of its warships in the Gulf.
United States defence officials have accused the Revolutionary Guards boats of behaving in a "reckless and needlessly provocative" manner.
The incident, which took place in the Strait of Hormuz on January 6th, led to American sailors coming within minutes of opening fire after the Iranian boats threatened to "explode" the USS Port Royal, USS Hopper and USS Ingraham.
Today's video is more than four minutes long and shows the five Iranian speedboats circling each other as they rush through the warships' wake.
An unidentified US radio operator is heard saying: "This is coalition warship. I am engaged in transit passage in accordance with international law. I intend no harm. Over."
After the Iranian boats threaten to blow up the three warships, a second American message is heard: "Inbound small craft: You are approaching a coalition warship operating in international waters. Your identity in unknown; your intentions are unclear."
But before the American sailors resort to "defensive measures", the Iranian speedboats rush off.
Defence secretary Robert Gates said Iran's actions in international waters were "troubling and a matter of real concern".
"This is a very volatile area, and the risk of an incident escalating is real," he explained.
"I think that it is a reminder that there is a very unpredictable government in Tehran. And it would be nice to see the Iranian government disavow this action and say that it won't happen again."
In a statement from the White House George Bush added: "My message to the Iranians is simple: They shouldn't have done what they did."
But speaking to the Mehr news agency, Revolutionary Guards commander Ali Reza Tangsiri played down the significance of the incident.
"It is a basic responsibility of patrolling units of the Revolutionary Guards to take necessary interception measures toward any vessels entering into the waters of the Persian Gulf," he said.
Washington has had no diplomatic relations with Tehran since its embassy was stormed and hostages taken in 1980.
The row over Iran's controversial nuclear programme has increased tensions further.