Special to WorldTribune.com New video footage released by the U.S. Navy contradicts Iran’s claim that it did not launch rockets near American warships in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Navy, the video shot late last month shows Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ships firing the rockets near Western warships, including the USS Harry S […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Iran test fired a missile that came within 1,500 yards of a U.S. aircraft carrier, according to a report. A U.S. military official told AFP on Dec. 29 that Iran tested unguided rockets that came within close proximity of three American warships in the Strait of Hormuz, including the USS Harry S […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Fred Fleitz Earlier this week, Iranian forces seized a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship, the Maersk Tigris, while it was traversing the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces boarded the ship after firing warning shots across its bridge and diverted it to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Iranian officials have not explained […]
Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — A merchant ship has been attacked near Oman. NATO said a merchant vessel was attacked by an unidentified speedboat in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman. The NATO Shipping Center said the the speedboat opened fire on the vessel from close range on early March 30. “A merchant […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Iran has been closely monitoring the U.S.-led naval exercise in the Gulf. The U.S. Navy has reported both Iranian air and surface vessel reconnaissance of the current International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, which began operations on May 12. Officers said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was sending small fast attack […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Brian M Downing China and Pakistan recently signed an agreement granting Beijing the operating rights to the Gwadar port facilities in western Pakistan, along the Arabian Sea and near the Strait of Hormuz. [See: China takes over Gwadar, Pakistan’s deep-water port, in strategic coup, East-Asia-Intel.com, Feb. 6, 2013] Last year, China […]
Jeffrey T. Kuhner According to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, it’s official: Iran has become a nuclear power. The respected Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the Persian strongman this week at an Islamic conference in Cairo told an Egyptian daily Iran is a “nuclear country.” If true — and I stress if — then this is […]
Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Iran has reported the close tracking of the U.S. Navy in the Gulf. A senior Iranian commander said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been following U.S. Navy patrols in the Gulf. (Related story: Iran announces blockade of Strait of Hormuz and claims U.S. is complying, April 22) The commander […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy, preparing for a showdown with Iran, has been ordered to send additional surface vessels to the Gulf. Officials said the Navy would send special ships to foil any Iranian attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz in 2012. They said the vessels were expected to arrive in […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The U.S. Navy has been preparing to confront Iran in the Gulf. The commander of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet said his force has examined Iran’s military capabilities. Vice Adm. Mark Fox said he was certain that the United States could repel any Iranian naval operations in the Gulf. “We’ve […]