US Navy Dispatches Destroyer After Iran 'Fires Warnings Shots And Boards Cargo Ship'

[Purveyor]

BY KASHMIRA GANDER – 28 April 2015
The US and Iran are eyeballing each other again after Iranian forces boarded a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf and the American Navy dispatched a destroyer to monitor the situation.

“The master was contacted and directed to proceed further into Iranian territorial waters. He declined and one of the Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) craft fired shots across the bridge of the Maersk Tigris,” said spokesman Col Steve Warren.

“The master complied with the Iranian demand and proceeded into Iranian waters in the vicinity of Larak Island.”

Mr Warren said that the US Navy responded to a distress call and dispatched a Navy Destroyer, USS Farragut to travel to the cargo ship as quickly as possible “to observe the interaction”.

He added: "[Navy Central Command] is communicating with representatives of the shipping company and we continue to monitor the situation. According to information received from the vessel's operators, there are no Americans aboard.”


- See more at: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/us-navy-dispatches-destroyer-after-iran-fires-warnings-shots-and-boards-cargo-ship-31179110.html#sthash.L9j51wf7.dpuf

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. I hope some trigger happy asshole doesnt fuck EVERYTHING up...

Would be awful fucking convenient, though

[DustyJoe]

2. too late for trigger happy

The trigger happy Iranian gunner fired the first shot. In history, that is usually all the catalyst it takes. Then couple that with siezing the ship and crew it makes them little different from the somali pirates just a little west of them. Depending on the US reaction, this could have quite an effect on yemen and the nuke deal.

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. Silliness.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/28/politics/iran-seizes-commercial-ship-u-s-official-says-no-americans-on-board/index.html?eref=edition

The M/V Maersk Tigris was seized at the request of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization, Iran's semi-official news agency FARS is reporting, citing informed sources. The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was seized after a relevant court order was issued, according to the source, indicating that the IPMO had monetary differences with the ship owner.

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A shot across the bow is how navies get ships to stop. The US Navy and Coast Guard use this same tactic.

What US reactions should there be? Iranians stopped a Marshall Islands ship in Iranian waters over a commercial dispute.

[Calista241]

3. If Iran starts to seize ships or seriously impede lawful shipping in the strait

There will 100% be a war. And a big one at that.