Iranian naval vessels conducted rocket tests on Saturday near US warships and commercial traffic in what was a “highly provocative” act in the strait of Hormuz, the US military said on Wednesday, causing new tension between the two nations after a landmark nuclear deal.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessels fired “several unguided rockets” about 1,370 metres (1,500 yards) from the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier, the USS Bulkeley destroyer and a French frigate, the FS Provence, said Commander Kyle Raines, a US Central Command spokesman, in a statement. Raines said commercial sea traffic also was nearby.
Raines said the Iranian vessels announced over maritime radio just 23 minutes earlier that they would carry out a live fire exercise.Iran’s “actions were highly provocative”, he said. “Firing weapons so close to passing coalition ships and commercial traffic within an internationally recognised maritime traffic lane is unsafe, unprofessional and inconsistent with international maritime law.”
The vital strait, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that is the route for nearly a third of all oil traded by sea, is crucial for ships taking part in the war against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
While the US has complained previously about other Iranian war games and manoeuvres there, the incident comes after a series of weapons tests and other moves by Iran following agreement on a nuclear deal.
Iranian media and officials did not immediately discuss the tests on Wednesday.
NBC News first reported news of the rocket tests.
The test comes after Iran and world powers led by the US agreed to a landmark nuclear deal to limit Iran’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. While heralded by moderates in Iran, hardliners have criticised the deal.
In the time since, Iran has conducted missile tests criticised by the US, as well as aired footage on state television of an underground missile base.
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