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Stay 100 yards away from our ships or be seen as threat, US Navy tells mariners – reports
The US Navy has issued new guidelines for mariners in the Middle Eastern waters, warning them against approaching too close to its vessels. Those defying the warning would be seen as a threat and met with “defensive measures.”
The US military vessels will take “lawful defensive measures” against ships that would come closer that 100 years (about 91 meters), the new notice to mariners warns, according to reports by Reuters and AP. The usual actions taken in case of a close encounter involve turning the ship away from the approaching vessel, sounding a horn and shooting off flares before firing even warning shots.
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Yet, in a fairly uncommon practice, the Navy apparently signals it might be ready to take some more drastic measures if its latest warning is ignored.
“Our ships are conducting routine operations in international waters wherever international law allows and do not seek conflict,” said Commander Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman of the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said as cited by AP. “However, our commanding officers retain the right to self-defense if deemed necessary.”
The US military did not apparently mention any specific nation in its statement. Yet, the news come following a recent tensions flare-up between the US and Iran, linked to a maritime incident in the Persian Gulf.
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