US ships monitoring Strait of Hormuz after Iran seized cargo ship
American military ships are patrolling the strategic Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship with Marshall Islands flag was seized by Iranian forces due to legal issues, according to the US military.
The USS Farragut destroyer and three coastal patrol ships are monitoring the situation in the strait, US military officials said on Wednesday.
“We sent ships into the area to help monitor the situation and help maintain a US naval presence in the vicinity of Strait of Hormuz,” a spokesman for the US 5th Fleet, Kevin Stephens, said.
He added that the US Navy is communicating with shipping traffic through “a variety of means” to ensure that mariners are aware of the event and that they understand how to respond if the situation is repeated, Stars and Stripes reported.
He also said an official notice may be sent to mariners with a set of instructions, including on how to contact the US Navy.
Iranian forces boarded the Marshall Islands-flagged MV Maersk Tigris after the vessel trespassed on Iranian waters on Tuesday.
Iranian naval forces fired warning shots across the bow of the vessels.
In response to the vessel’s distress call, the USS Farragut and a Navy P-3 Orion aircraft were dispatched to the scene, but they were told by Iranian forces not to intervene.
The cargo ship was seized due to legal issues. An Iranian Foreign Ministry source told Press TV that the ship was seized over financial violations.
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