US: Navy, UK navy respond to merchant vessel distress call in Strait of Hormuz

Monday, June 5, 2023

The US Navy reported yesterday three fast-attack craft from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN), armed sailors aboard, closely followed an "internationally flagged" merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz the same day. The US said its guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul and the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster intervened after a distress call from the merchant ship, a Lancaster-based helicopter and US P-8A Poseidon maritime patroller accompanying to reconnoiter.

According to the US Navy, tensions calmed about an hour later and the merchant vessel proceeded undisturbed.

IRGCN commander Abbas Gholamshahi denied "extra-regional vessels [were] in the area." He stated a commercial ship flying the Marshall Islands flag reported on an international channel three civilian fast boats a few miles away and the IRGCN detailed vessels to "resolve the captain's concerns."

Yesterday's incident follows others at sea involving Iran since the US' 2018 unilateral exit from the Iran nuclear deal. The Associated Press, citing geolocation, has alleged the US confiscated the Suez Rajan for transporting Iranian crude oil near Singapore, and Iran seized the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Advantage Sweet in April.

Have an opinion on this story? Share it!

Related news

"Iran's President Rouhani tells foreign powers to leave Persian Gulf" — Wikinews, September 23, 2019

Sources

Jon Gambrell. "US Navy says Iran Revolutionary Guard fast-attack boats 'harassed' ship in Strait of Hormuz" — Associated Press, June 5, 2023
"US, UK navies say responded to call from ship in Strait of Hormuz" — Al Jazeera, June 5, 2023
Press Release: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. "U.S., UK Navies Respond to Merchant Vessel Distress Call in Strait of Hormuz" — U.S. Navy Press Office, June 4, 2023

Share this:

This page is archived, and is no longer publicly editable.

Articles presented on Wikinews reflect the specific time at which they were written and published, and do not attempt to encompass events or knowledge which occur or become known after their publication.

Got a correction? Add the template {{editprotected}} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators.

Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.