Watch
video of the speedboat incident
Graphic: how the
stand-off unfolded
The radio message received by three American warships as they entered the
narrow Strait of Hormuz sent the crews to action stations for an imminent
attack.
Five Iranian speedboats had been detected on the radar, approaching fast in
the dim light of the early Gulf morning. As they sped towards the group they
slipped suspicious boxes into the water.
However, it was the warning transmitted as they closed in that threatened to
turn a potentially hostile manoeuvre into a dangerous incident that could
have spiralled out of control. “I am coming at you, you will explode in a
couple of minutes,” the message said.
The three warships from the US 5th Fleet – USS Hopper, a
8,300-tonne guided missile destroyer, USS Port Royal, a 9,600-tonne
Ticonderoga-class cruiser, and USS Ingraham, a 4,100-tonne frigate –
prepared to blast the speedboats out of the water, using a combination of
the deadly close-range Phalanx Gatling and other rapid-fire guns.
The aggressive approach of the five boats fitted the profile of the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard. Not only did they ignore the warnings from the American
ships but the white boxes, which they were dropping over the side of their
speedboats, forced the Americans to take emergency evasive action.
The most serious incident for years in the Gulf – part of the world where
peace is balanced precariously – was within a few seconds of ending in
violent confrontation. But as the American gun crews prepared to fire,
waiting for the final command, the five speedboats veered away. They were
within 200 metres of the warships.
Despite the difference in size between such speedboats and warships, the
suicide boat attack on the 8,600-tonne USS Cole in 2000 in Aden,
which blasted a hole in the ship and killed 17 American sailors, has served
as a constant reminder of the potential dangers posed by small vessels
packed with explosives.
The confrontation between the five gunboats and the US Navy ships that took
place on Sunday was described by the Pentagon as “the most serious
provocation of this sort that we’ve seen yet”. The incident, which lasted
about 20 minutes, was “careless, reckless and potentially hostile”, Bry-an
Whitman, the Pentagon spokesman, said. He demanded an explanation from the
Iranians.
The Pentagon said that the Iranian boats had turned away “at the very moment
that US forces were preparing to open fire in self-defence”.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which took command of Iran’s naval operations
in the Gulf last November, has proved on many occasions that it is prepared
to be antagonistic towards Western warships in the crowded shipping lane,
twice seizing Royal Navy craft and their crews and holding them hostage – in
2004 and again last year. In Sunday’s incident, at about 5am local time, the
Iranian speedboats “swarmed” around the US warships and gave every
indication of wanting to provoke the Americans into opening fire. The threat
to bomb the ships was the first time that the Iranians had used such a ploy
to heighten the tension, although Tehran tried to play the whole incident
down by saying that it was a routine manoeuvre.
Under US rules of engagement, warships under threat are entitled to open fire
in self-defence and to take preemptive action if the evidence points to an
imminent attack. Why the US commanders held back after receiving the radio
message was not clear. But the gamble paid off. No shots were fired and no
one was hurt.
However, Sean McCormack, the US State Department spokesman, said that America
would “confront Iranian behaviour where it seeks to do harm either to us or
our friends or allies in the region”.
The White House said the harassment of the US ships by Iran was “provocative”
and warned Tehran against taking similar action in the future. “We urge the
Iranians to refrain from such provocative actions that could lead to a
dangerous incident in the future,” Gordon Johndroe, the White House
spokesman, said.
Iran insisted that it had not been a dangerous incident. Mohammad Ali
Hosseini, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that, as in other
cases, this incident was resolved when the two sides identified each other.
“The example that happened on [Sunday] was similar to previous cases and is
an ordinary and natural issue,” he told Iran’s official IRNA news agency. He
added: “This is an ordinary issue that happens for the two sides every once
in a while and after the identification of the two sides, the issue is
resolved.”
The confrontation was the latest clash between Washington and Tehran and
appeared to have been timed for the imminent six-day visit of President Bush
to the Middle East. The President is due to travel to the region to try to
boost the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
The US acknowledged that it had little insight into Iran’s “very opaque
decision-making process”. Mr Whitman, the Pentagon spokesman, said: “I don’t
know what their intent was.” He said the three US warships had been forced
to conduct some evasive manoeuvring. “The US Navy vessels were prepared to
take appropriate actions in accordance with the ROE [rules of engagement]
but there was no engagement of the vessels,” he said.
The incident surprised many Iran experts who said that Washington and Tehran
had made recent efforts to “de-escalate” their confrontation. One analyst,
sceptical of the speedboats’ intent, said: “Have you ever heard of a suicide
bomber saying ‘Hey, I’m going to blow myself up right now?”
Washington will want to determine whether the Iranian action was the result of
overzealous Revolutionary Guards acting on their own initiative or whether
an intended provocation was planned in Tehran. The second scenario would
suggest that Tehran was underlining its vocal opposition to Mr Bush’s Middle
East visit.
The narrow Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf is one of the world’s
most sensitive strategic locations, with at least a fifth of the world’s
crude oil supply passing through it.
Iranian military commanders have given repeated warnings that if their country
is attacked by the US, blocking the Strait’s narrow choke-point to the Gulf
would be one of several means of retaliation. Oil prices rose about 30 cents
to more than $98 a barrel after news of the incident before slipping back.
But Iranian analysts urged caution, saying that there had been public attempts
by Tehran and Washington recently to ease tensions. The US military had also
misread Iranian radio communications in the past, most notably in 1988 when
the USS Vincennes, an American guided missile cruiser, mistakenly
shot down an Iranian civilian airliner over the Strait of Hormuz, killing
all 290 passengers and crew.
“I’d take this with a very large grain of salt until we get more details. Who
knows, this could be a turning point or it could be an isolated incident
with no significance at all,” said Gary Sick, an Iran specialist at the
University of Columbia who served on the US National Security Council under
Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan. “This is contrary to all the positive
signals we’ve seen in recent weeks from both sides. This strikes me really
as an aberration,” Professor Sick told The Times.
US military commanders in Iraq have said that the reduction of violence in
Iraq was in part due to Iran stemming the flow of weapons to Iraqi militias,
and gave Tehran some credit for the observance of a ceasefire by Moqtada
al-Sadr’s Shia Mahdi Army in Iraq.
Last week Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, stated that relations
with the US could be restored. Some analysts speculated that he was sending
a message to US presidential candidates that less hostile American policies
could lead to reconciliation.
“Both sides have made an effort to deescalate the conflict,” Karim
Sad-jadpour, an Iran expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace in Washington, said. “But there are forces in both the US and Iran who
don’t want to see an improvement of ties, and whenever efforts are made to
reduce the tension they often create incidents to sabotage this
confidence-building,” he told The Times.
Flashpoints
Shatt al-Arab waterway There is no universally recognised line of
control on the waterway dividing Iran and Iraq. Iran seized British military
personnel in 2004 and 2007, claiming that they illegally entered Iranian
waters
Involvement in Afghanistan Iran is accused of actively supporting
insurgents hostile to Afghan and coalition forces. At least ten Iranians
have been arrested in Herat in Afghanistan, near the Iranian border, and
accused of being intelligence agents
Involvement in Iraq The US has accused Iran of supplying materials,
training and intelligence, including that behind the deadly roadside bombing
campaign, to Iraq’s insurgents. The US military has arrested several Iranian
diplomats on Iraqi soil
Nuclear programme Iran has frustrated international inspectors while
insisting that it has only a civilian nuclear programme and nothing to hide.
The US has led international demands to “hold Iran to account” for any
illegal uranium enrichment
Israel Iran’s openly stated desire for “elimination of the Zionist
regime” in Israel has been widely condemned. Israel accuses Iran of
supporting Palestinian terrorists and has stated that it will not tolerate a
nuclear-armed Iran
Source: Federation of American Scientists; Times archives
This situation is all very worrying. Ever since the British sailors incident I've been expecting something like this to happen. But please, let's not be ridiculous here and call Iranian actions "infantile" and say that we should stop showing restraint. The straits of Hormuz are practically Iranian waters, and they have a right to keep them secure!
The maritime boundaries, as we saw in the the incident with the British Navy, are extremely hazy between Oman and Iran, and either party, US or Iranian, could easily stray between borders. But these incidents are tailor-made to start a war, and war with Iran would be a horrible disaster.
That video gives no proof that Iranian boats did anything other than sail up, then turn around and go back. Did anyone actually hear the apparent provocation? How can Iran, which is practically a third-world country and totally inferior to the U.S., be seen as the aggressor, in its own waters no less, when theres 150,000 U.S. troops on Iran's border?
Dan, Edinburgh,
Quite what these people hoped to achieve by their infantile behaviour is beyond me. The ordinary person may well have been amused by such antics , much like observing children at play in a fairground .Luckily for them a robust US Navy response to a potentially serious action was only just averted , courtesy of a patient commander. It may be as well for those who took part in this stunt to reflect , in their sober moments ,as to precisely what value was placed on their lives by those who sent them.
p rayner, london, uk
I don't even know why we still show restraint. Even when we spare them, we get attacked by the far left from around the world who hate the United States. Have all of these American haters who have commented on this web page forgetten that it's the US Navy that is there protecting the sea lanes so that Saudi oil can make it safely to New Zealand, the UK, and other countries so that it's citizens are not compelled to living a primative life style????? It is our young men and women who are out there putting THERE LIVES on the line enforcing international law so that other citizens around the globe and go about there peaceful existance, slapping the hand that protects them.
Travers, Dallas, USA
"Warmongering" US forces are the international naval police that keep the peace and maintain trade that allows idiots around the world to spout off in internet forums.
The speedboats are a ploy to get the Navy to create some martyrs. They may soon be obliged.
I'm shocked at the historical ignorance here, the UK used to be the international naval policeman and the entire world is better off for it.
Grow up.
Jack Sheet, Tampa FL, USA
Most types of Iranian speedboats come equipped with surface to surface missiles which could be used to target US warships. One or two hits might not sink a US warship, even a frigate. However, a hit on a small US warship such as those involved in the incident in question could do some serious damage as happened a few years ago to USS Stark.
Given the supersonic speeds at whicht modern naval missiles travel a naval captain would have literally seconds to respond once an attack against his ship was launched. A commander would be better off firing at a potential attacker before an attack could be launched should such a threat be deemed imminent.
The political situation needs to be considered if you are not at war. One of the US captains involved could easily have misinterpreted the tactical situation and opened fire in which case there is an ugly international incident at best. At worst you start a war. Nothing happened this time thanks to the professional way the US navy reacted.
Luke Willen, Nottingham, UK
Most types of Iranian speedboats come equipped with surface to surface missiles which could be used to target US warships. One or two hits might not sink a US warship, even a frigate. However, a hit on a small US warship such as those involved in the incident in question could do some serious damage as happened a few years ago to USS Stark.
Given the supersonic speeds at whicht modern naval missiles travel a naval captain would have literally seconds to respond once an attack against his ship was launched. A commander would be better off firing at a potential attacker before an attack could be launched should such a threat be deemed imminent.
The political situation needs to be considered if you are not at war. One of the US captains involved could easily have misinterpreted the tactical situation and opened fire in which case there is an ugly international incident at best. At worst you start a war. Nothing happened this time thanks to the professional way the US navy reacted.
Luke Willen, Nottingham, UK
Most types of Iranian speedboats come equipped with surface to surface missiles which could be used to target US warships. One or two hits might not sink a US warship, even a frigate. However, a hit on a small US warship such as those involved in the incident in question could do some serious damage as happened a few years ago to USS Stark.
Given the supersonic speeds at whicht modern naval missiles travel a naval captain would have literally seconds to respond once an attack against his ship was launched. A commander would be better off firing at a potential attacker before an attack could be launched should such a threat be deemed imminent.
The political situation needs to be considered if you are not at war. One of the US captains involved could easily have misinterpreted the tactical situation and opened fire in which case there is an ugly international incident at best. At worst you start a war. Nothing happened this time thanks to the professional way the US navy reacted.
Luke Willen, Nottingham, UK
Dr. Mike,
So in your fantasy world, the U.S. has no business being in international waters, no business helping the world insure free and safe passage through one of the most strategic and vital shipping lanes on the planet?
You'd MUCH rather that those shipping lanes be totally controlled by the peace seeking mullahs of Iran correct?
Or wait, better yet, lets put the straits under control of the U.N. That way, those altruistic U.N. beaurocrats can milk millions/billions of dollars off shipping throughout the region and use it to feather their own nests.. . Perfect!!!
Alan, Indianapolis, Indiana
As someone that was on the Vincennes at the time, it was neither a mistake or stupid. Iran at the time had 11 F-14's based around the gulf, some non-flying for want of parts. They would station these on the flight paths of civilan flights and as the civilan aircraft were flying over the gulf they would turn on their missile radar which of course we would see.
This day the aircraft decended rapiadly soon as it crossed the coast and the radar (F-14) was turned on, it present a attack profile and was asked to identify itself 4 times, yes 4 times, it contiuned on it's course and was fired upon.
Say what you want, I was there, I was in CIC and my guns were ready to fire.
Ex-Navy, Charlotte, NC, US
First, my bona fides. I am a survivor of the USS Cole Bombing in 2000. My read of the situation is this. The Revolutionary Guards executed a carefully choreographed scripted exercise to determine what the US response would be.
This was almost certainly a phase 1 exercise where they pushed to see how we would react. Think of it as round one sparing in a boxing match. It serves two functions 1) Determine how the opponent will react to a specific threat; 2) Attempt to create a thought pattern that can be exploited.
Anthony L. VanCampen, Norfolk, USA
Of course! We ugly Yanks are to blame for all the ills in the Middle East--we even secretly asked Iran to kidnap those British sailors last year. It's all a part of our grand plan to take over the world. OOOOOPPS!! Guess I let the cat out of the bag. Forget I wrote that.
If only the US would leave everyone in the world alone, and stop picking on the nice friendly fascists, then we can have peace in our time. Is that the idea? Hmmmm. Where have I heard that one before?
T Kelso, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Farrukh,
Chinese and Iranian warships have visted this country on a number of occassions. During the Cold War Soviet Warships also visited the UK and crossed wiithin sight of UK territory regularly. Russian bomber aircraft fly operations toward the UK and are frequently intercepted near UK airspace.
We have not, for at least the last 50 years fired on any foreign warship off UK territorial waters. Further, had we seized the crew of such a vessel they would have been entitled to legal aid and to a writ for habeas corpus.
The same can be said of the US. Even thise detained in Guantanamo Bay had legal representation and could challenge their detention.
When Iran offers the same security and freedoms then you make absurd comparisons like this.
Hugh, London,
As loath as I am to defend almost any of our current foreign policy, and though I think it is provocative, albeit necessary, to have patrols in this crowded and vital waterway, I think we should all be thankful for the strict discipline of the US Navy commanders on the scene yesterday! With the fate of the U.S.S. Cole, I'm sure, uppermost in their minds, they withheld fire long enough to thwart an Iranian attempt at a propaganda coup. I wonder, though, just how much control the top has over the troops in Iran. Would Ahmadinejad have these soldiers awarded medals or shot if they had provoked an incident?
Think of it from an Iranian Guard commander's POV: a win-win, either strutting in the face of the "Great Satan" or provoking an international incident which would automatically be seen by most in the area (and apparently, some bitter Brits...) as the fault of the US. Thank god the Navy is manned with professionals!
Geoffrey Tudor, Sequim, WA, USA
When will we wake up to see that that all this global conflict benefits only a select few?? The Military-industrial complex, the Oils companies, etc. My next question is what were the US ships doing there in the first place? From the last thing I remember, the United States is located in the Western Hemisphere, not the Mille East.
Lastly, I want to add that I hope the Democrats win the US Presidency so that people in the US---because the World arleady knows this--- can see that these kinds of imperial policies will continune. Wars will continune, proping up of dictators will continune (Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, etc), people displaced from Hurricane Karina will stay homeless, the prison population will grow from the current number at 2 million prisoners -(1 out of every 150 people), we'll still have 50 million without health care, the so called "War on Terrorism will continue, etc.
We need alternatives!!!
Dr. Mike
Dr. Mike, LA, USA/ CA
Why should we believe the US story? Haven't they already told enough warmongering lies immediately retailed as fact by the Times? (Iraqi WMD and Iranian nukes spring to mind.)
Even if they weren't lying, couldn't they have made a mistake and believed in a threat that wasn't there? Can anyone else remember Iran Air Flight 655, a civilian airliner shot down by through US military stupidity and aggressiveness in the very same place, the Strait of Hormuz, in 1988 killing 290 innocent people?
Richard Cheeseman, Wellington , NZ
Turkish fighter jets violated Greek air space over the Aegean 12 times yesterday, the Defense Ministry said, as diplomats met at the Foreign Ministry to plan Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis’s trip to Ankara later this month. Karamanlis is due to travel to Turkey on January 23 for a three-day trip but relations between the two countries have been strained in recent weeks after reports in Turkey alleging that Greek fishermen are crossing into Turkish waters near the Imia islets. The Defense Ministry in Athens said that a Turkish coast guard boat crossed into Greek waters on Sunday and damaged Greek fishermen’s nets. Source: Kathimerini-Herald Tribune today. Moral: those who live in glass houses should not throw stones - who gave F16 to Turkey- a 'valued' member of the NATO club, as well as nuclear know how [as in Pakistan]? Think ourselves lucky the US decided not to start a war yesterday.
Nicholas Xenakis, Borough, London, England
Bush is visiting the Middle East this week and the Americans have begun their propoganda exercise. Speed boats againts warships. I'm sure the Americans felt threatened - NOT.
Hamad Lone, London, England
The Iranians are doing what they always do; provoke. Partly to start a conflict so that they can exercise more control over Iraq and partly because of the Iranian President's desire to confront the West in an apocalpytic fight between Islam and (in his view) the Infidels.
Thanks to the patince of the US Navy, the Iranians were disappointed.
John Karpiscak, Fredericksburg, USA/ Virgina
I wonder what the Americans (or any of the rest of us for that matter) would do, if Iranian or Chinese naval boats were as far off our coastline as the Americans are off the Iranians coastline.
Pity the well intentioned American soldiers/ navy who are subject to the warmongering whims or a dying regime, only a few months to go before Obama for change. Perhaps then American may regain something of its international standing.
Farrukh, Woking, UK
Choudhury, UK
Did you actually read the article?
It was not long ago that such an incident caused death and maiming for a lot of people:-
"Despite the difference in size between such speedboats and warships, the suicide boat attack on the 8,600-tonne USS Cole in 2000 in Aden, which blasted a hole in the ship and killed 17 American sailors, has served as a constant reminder of the potential dangers posed by small vessels packed with explosives."
These people in their speedboats are lucky to still be in one piece.
tyke, UK, UK
have you any idea just how much damage you can cause with a speedboat packed with explosives... it doesn't have to be that much, just the weight of a man... I'd have put some bursts across their bows... but the problem with the automated guns is that they can't be set to deliberately miss...
paulc, gloucester,
Choudhury, the boats could have been full of explosives...the machine guns are irrelevant.
Mike, Gloucester, uk
......who ram themselves into the warships, blowing themselves up and creating a hole in the side of the warship below the water line.
Fred, London,
It does not say much about US Navy's morale, if a US fleet comprising of a frigate, a destroyer and a cruiser felt threatened by five speedboats mounted with machine-guns only!!!
Choudhury, UK,