[Times-UK] Michael Theodoulou - The White House issued a stern warning to Tehran Monday after Iranian speedboats buzzed three U.S. navy ships passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and threatened to blow them up. A Pentagon official said that U.S. forces were "literally" on the verge of firing on the Iranian boats and had moved to man their guns when the Iranians turned and sped away. No shots were fired in the incident. "We urge the Iranians to refrain from such provocative actions that could lead to a dangerous incident in the future," said Gordon Johnson, spokesman for the White House's National Security Council. The incident occurred as a U.S. Navy cruiser, destroyer and frigate were crossing the strait when they were buzzed by the speedboats, which dropped boxes in the water in front of them.
2008-01-08 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive