Iranian Boats Threaten US Warship in Persian Gulf

An F-35B Lightning II launches from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex for the F-35B's first combat strike on Sept. 27, 2018. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Freeman

The USS Essex was in the Persian Gulf with the leader of U.S. Central Command on Oct. 26, when two of Iran’s Navy fast boats approached and came within 300 yards of the warship.

General Joseph Votel was on the bridge as one of the armed Iranian boats cut right in front of the ship’s path, and the other followed closely to the side.

The top U.S. general had been visiting the vessel to observe routine aircraft operations. Votel had watched as a U.S. Marine Corps F-35 stealth fighter jet made a flyby past the Essex, then returned to demonstrate the plane’s ability to land vertically on deck, according to the Associated Press.

A total of six of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy FIACs (fast inshore attack craft) were seen heading toward both the USS Essex and Rushmore, reported NBC News. The U.S. general said he was not surprised to see the fast boats in the region, and he joked around with the crew about the encounter.

“I really appreciate you arranging for the Iranians to be here,” Votel said, according to AP.

An Iranian sailor contacted the Essex over radio transmission and asked questions about the identity of the ship and what its intentions were. The captain of the Essex, Brian Mutty, said the interaction was not dangerous, but was “annoying,” reported NBC.

Earlier that same day, another radio transmission from the Iranians warned that they would shoot at a U.S. helicopter if the Essex continued to fly it near Iranian boats.

However, the U.S. ships did not change its plans and the helicopter kept flying. Meanwhile, no shots were fired.

Navy Captain Jerry Olin told AP that there are hundreds of Iran’s fast boats in the area. It’s typical for the boats to approach U.S. ships and take pictures, and the Iranians have harassed or threatened the U.S. Navy in the past, for example when the ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise that we have some Iranian interest today around perhaps one of the most significant ships we have in the Arabian gulf right now,” Votel said to reporters on the Essex.

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit wait for flight operations to begin while F-35B Lightning IIs are refueled in preparation for the F-35B's first combat strike, Sept. 27, 2018. Photo by Cpl. Francisco J. Diaz Jr./U.S. Marine Corps via Getty Images