Iran blames US navy for ‘warning shots’ fired in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards yesterday held the US Navy responsible for the warning shots fired against Iranian military boats in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards accused US naval ships of “unprofessional behaviour such as flying helicopters, firing flares and aimless and provocative shooting”.

The statement said the US’ illegal presence is a destabilising factor and is dangerous for the region, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf, stressing that “Americans must seriously abide by the laws of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf”.

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“It would be better for the Americans to avoid unprofessional behaviour and not to endanger the security of the Persian Gulf by obeying the rules and regulations of the sea,” it said.

Earlier on Monday, the Pentagon said the US Coast Guard ship Maui fired about 30 warning shots after 13 fast boats from the Revolutionary Guards’ navy came close to it and other American Navy vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.