No clash has taken place with US vessel in Persian Gulf, Iran Navy

26 April 2008

Tehran-The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy official has said that no clash has taken place between Iranian boat and a US vessel in the Persian Gulf waters terming it as totally baseless.

Speaking to IRNA, the official said unlike what has been reported, no US vessel has opened fire at any Iranian boat in the Persian Gulf waters.

Western media reported on Friday that a cargo ship hired by the US military opened fire at a boat that may be Iranian.

"Foreign forces are completely aware of our policy in the Persian Gulf region and know very well that any confrontation would face crushing response from Iranian courageous forces," he said.

"If there such a confrontation takes place in the Persian Gulf waters, then no shooting vessel could survive to report what happened," he added.

He reiterated the strength and complete readiness of Iranian Navy to control any movement of foreign ships in the Persian Gulf waters and the Straight of Hormuz.

The official said that releasing such "suspicious reports would only be a source of concern for the vessels currently moving through the waterway in full peace of mind and this is completely against Iran's strategy to preserve security in the region." Reiterating Tehran's policy to maintain stability in the Persian Gulf region, he said, "Iran believes that any disorder in the region would have undesired consequences."

He added that releasing those baseless reports were "the result of the US officials' irresponsible and unprofessional policies in the region which could create an unsafe atmosphere for non-military vessels moving through the waterway."

He said that Iranian armed forces are well-prepared to confront any threat in the region and the military experts were investigating the report.