Iran #US

Iran’s IRGC again shows their hand by using drones and speed boats against US Navy ships patrolling in international waters.

Continued Iranian activity of this type serves as methods of standard intelligence collection from US satellites, aircraft, and naval assets

Video footage showing a recent confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz between an amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy and speed boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was released on August 19 during the 24th assembly of the guard’s commanders in the Iranian capital of Tehran. The boats performed unsafe and unprofessional maneuvers

IRGC Navy Chief Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri said U.S. helicopters were landed in the back deck of the ship shortly after taking off, following the arrival of speed boats deployed by the Zolfaqar flotilla present near the scene. It is likely for safety and to avoid any unnecessary conflicts.

In the footage, Iranian speed boats can be seen monitoring and chasing the American ship, which was identified as USS Bataan.

This was the first time U.S. naval forces sailed into the Gulf waters in around two years, Tangsiri pointed out, adding that the standoff took place on August 17.

Tangsiri stressed that security in the Gulf can be maintained by neighboring countries without the presence of any foreign forces even though Iran continues to illegally board and seize ships in the Gulf.

The standoff came amid rising tensions between Iran and the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf. In July, the Pentagon deployed F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, along with several warships and additional marines to the Middle East, in order to deter Iranian naval forces who seized two tankers in the gulf earlier this year. The IRGC responded by holding a series of naval drills earlier this month.

Iran’s IRGC Says Its Naval Branch Forced U.S. Warship To Back Down (Video)