U.S. missile cruiser forced from Strait of Hormuz after warning from Iran destroyers

Special to WorldTribune.com

A warning from Iranian warships forced a U.S. Navy missile cruiser to leave waters near the Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 27.

USS Monterey
USS Monterey

The USS Monterey received the warning from several Iranian destroyers to keep away from the area near the Strait of Hormuz where the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were conducting naval war games.

Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayari, commander of the IRGC navy, said the Monterey appeared to be planning to spy on Iranian vessels and weapons during the high-profile Velayat-94 exercises.

“Some still seem to be holding no belief in Iran’s naval power; hence they attempt to come close to get informed of our moves and capabilities,” Sayari said on Jan. 27.

The incident comes just weeks after Iran detained 10 U.S. sailors in the Persian Gulf.

“International maritime and naval standards require all foreign ships and vessels to keep five nautical miles away” during Iran’s Velayat-94 exercises, naval officials said.

The Monterey, a Ticonderoga class cruiser, was sailing near the Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 27 when it received the warning. Iranian officials said the U.S. warship left the region immediately.

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