#1 An Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessel watches a USA warship in the Strait of Hormuz, May 19, 2023. The Mideast-based chiefs of the US, UK and French navies transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday aboard an American warship, a sign of a unified approach to keep the crucial waterway open after Iran seized two oil tankers. (AP Photo/story Jon Gambrell) 19 May 2023 ABOARD THE USS PAUL HAMILTON STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Mideast-based commanders of U.S., British and French navies transited Hormuz on Friday aboard an American warship, a sign of their unified approach... after Iran seized two oil tankers. Tensions in the Persian Gulf have been volatile.... The incredibly rare, joint trip by the three navy chiefs aboard the USS Paul Hamilton, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, saw three fast boats of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard approach the vessel at one point.
Guardsmen stood by uncovered machine guns on their decks, while sailors aboard the Hamilton similarly stood by loaded machine guns as others shot photos and video... An AP journalist accompanied the allied naval commanders. While the Guard kept its distance... their presence showed just how tense passage for vessels can be in the Strait of Hormuz. .. Iran has seized or attacked 15 ships in the last two years. Eight seizures and seven attacks," Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who oversees the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, told AP: "So the shipping industry is mindful of what the security posture looks like... We have the ability to positively impact that influence and that’s what we’re doing, |
