Iran missile test near warships triggers fresh tensions with US

While the United States has complained previously about other Iranian war games and manoeuvers there, this incident comes after a series of weapons tests and other moves by the Islamic Republic following the nuclear deal. Iranian media and officials did not immediately discuss the Wednesday tests. 

Cmdr. Kyle Raines, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said in a statement that Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval vessels fired “several unguided rockets” about 1,370 meters (1,500 yards) from the USS Harry S. 

Truman aircraft carrier, the USS Bulkeley destroyer and a French frigate, the FS Provence. Raines said commercial sea traffic also was nearby, though the missiles weren’t fired in the direction of any ship. 

Raines said the Iranian vessels announced over maritime radio that they’d carry out a live fire exercise only 23 minutes beforehand. Iran’s “actions were highly provocative,” Raines said. 

“Firing weapons so close to passing coalition ships and commercial traffic within an internationally recognized maritime traffic lane is unsafe, unprofessional and inconsistent with international maritime law.” 

A French military official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to publicly named, confirmed the rocket fire took place Saturday. 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 the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. 

In the past, Iran has threatened to block the strait, which lies at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. While the U.S. didn’t retaliate to Saturday’s rocket test, the Strait of Hormuz has been the scene of a few skirmishes between the two countries’ navies since 1988.