The USS Thunderbolt, a Cyclone-class patrol ship, was participating in naval exercises in the Persian Gulf. During manoeuvres, an Iranian naval vessel aggressively approached the Thunderbolt in international waters.
The Iranian vessel ignored radio communications, warning sirens, and flares.
When the Iranians were within 150 yards, the Thunderbolt fired a warning shot. The Iranian vessel turned back at that point.
Clearly, the US Navy patrol ship could have blown the Iranian vessel out of the water!
It’s a dangerous game of ‘chicken’ the Iranians are playing in international waters. It’s only a matter of time before a US Navy warship takes aim to sink one of Iran’s fast attack boats.
Last year, the US Navy recorded at least 35 instances of “unsafe and/or unprofessional” interactions with Iranian vessels in the region. This is up from 23 unfavorable interactions in 2014. This indicates that the Iranians are growing recklessly hostile.
Last year Iranian forces captured ten American sailors and held them over night. The Iranian government proudly displayed pictures of the Americans on their knees with hands on their heads implying weakness.
While it’s true that Obama paid the Iranians billions, and did nothing to curb their bravado on the open seas, President Trump might not be so easy to bully.
Angry Patriot reports:
Tensions flare in the Persian Gulf as an Islamic state threatens American sailors.
The United States Navy was forced to fire warning shots at an Iranian naval vessel encroaching on the USS Thunderbolt. The Iranian vessel was less than 150 yards away before turning back after warning shots were fired, according to the AP.