Gates Calls on Iran to Disavow Aggressors at Sea

American Forces Press Service ^ | Fred W. Baker III

[SandRat]

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 8, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called on Iran yesterday to disavow the actions of five high-speed boats that reportedly threatened to blow up three U.S. Navy warships in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

Gates spoke with reporters after touring the USS New Orleans here and having lunch with some of the ship’s sailors.

Defense officials said five Iranian Revolutionary Guard high-speed craft approached the USS Port Royal, USS Hopper and USS Ingraham as they were entering the Persian Gulf yesterday morning. The boats maneuvered aggressively, threatened the ships via bridge-to-bridge radio and dropped objects into the water in the general path of one of the ships, officials said.

“I found the action by the Iranians quite troubling, actually, and a matter of real concern,” Gates said. “This is a very volatile area, and the risk of an incident escalating is real. I think that it is a reminder that there is a very unpredictable government in Tehran. And it would be nice to see the Iranian government disavow this action and say that it won’t happen again.”

The Iranian boats left after the U.S. Navy ships were preparing to open fire, officials said. No shots were fired.

“It’s just a reminder of how volatile the situation is in the Gulf, and when the Iranians act aggressively like this they create circumstances that can be very dangerous,” Gates said.

Biographies:
Robert M. Gates

Related Sites:
USS Port Royal
USS Hopper
USS Ingraham

Related Articles:
Defense Secretary Meets With Troops in California
Admiral Details Iranian Challenge to U.S. Ships
Iranian Boats Provoke ‘Serious Incident’ in Strait of Hormuz

[SandRat]

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[bill1952]

I’m sure the Iranian mullahs are rushing to comply ...

[neodad]

Please, please start something Iran.

[popdonnelly]

If we have to fight with the Iranian regime, it should be at a time and place of our choosing.

[smartrightstudent]

I find it rather amusing that the speedboats pulled a french battle maneuver when the ship began preparing to fire

[OCC]

[txhurl]

Maybe we chose this time and place. ?

[Don Corleone]

In the old days a Captain would put a shot across their bow and if they didn’t heave to sink them with the next one. Where have our captains gone? Too damn much P.C. and sensitivity training I think.

[tflabo]

How about issuing a statement to Iran like this....
next time no more Mr. Nice Guys in the Big Ships...
expect fireworks and splashing water next go ‘round.

[purpleraine]

They have sent arms and terrorists to fight us in Iraq killing thousands.

They have threatened to wipe an ally off the map.

They support terrorists in many countries.

Their leader believes he has a responsibility to speed up the end of the world.What would be the tipping point for you?

[familyop]

...”disavow?” The next thing we know, he’ll be saying that “it would be nice to see the Iranian government” denounce their “action.” But then maybe denouncing would be a little too harsh.

[neodad]

The problem is that “in the old days” there wasn’t SATCOM with 5th Fleet and D.C. Captains were basically on their own. Too much top down command, in my opinion. Partially due to my old ship. (See tagline)

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

We were just about to get mad. It may have been prudent, but I can’t help think back to the type of fellows who I’ve heard mutter similar sentiments in the past. Not exactly braveheart.

[mass55th]

"And it would be nice to see the Iranian government disavow this action and say that it won’t happen again.” "

Sounds like a line from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

Run away! Run away!

[NormsRevenge]

Recordings show Iranian boats confronting 3 U.S. warships in Persian Gulf

video