These videos are of separate incidents.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) Harth 55 conducted an unsafe and unprofessional action by crossing the bow of the Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326) forcing the U.S. ship to conduct a defensive maneuver, Apr. 2. The U.S. vessel was conducting a routine maritime security patrol in international waters of the southern Arabian Gulf at the time of the incident. The USCGC ships are assigned to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), the largest U.S. Coast Guard unit outside the United States, and operate under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 55.
Video Credit: NAVCENT Public Affairs
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet
NORTH ARABIAN GULF (April 15, 2020) Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels conducted unsafe and unprofessional actions
against U.S. military ships by crossing the ships' bows and sterns at close
range while operating in international waters of the North Arabian Gulf.
U.S. forces are conducting joint interoperability operations in support of
maritime security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
Video Credit: NAVCENT Public Affairs
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet
IRGCN Interaction with U.S. Naval Vessels in the North Arabian Gulf
From U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
At approximately 8 p.m. on April 26, three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) failed to exercise due regard for the safety of other vessels as required under international law as they came into close proximity to U.S. naval vessels in international waters of the north Arabian Gulf.
The IRGCN armed speed boats rapidly approached U.S. Navy patrol coastal ship USS Firebolt (PC 10) and U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Baranof (WPB 1318) to an unnecessarily close range with unknown intent, including a closest point of approach (CPA) of 68 yards to both U.S. ships.
Firebolt and Baranof were conducting routine maritime security operations in international waters during the time of the incident.
The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio and loud-hailer devices, but the IRGCN vessels continued their close range maneuvers. The crew of Firebolt then fired warning shots, and the IRGCN vessels moved away to a safe distance from the U.S. vessels.
Throughout the interaction, U.S. forces proactively communicated with the IRGCN vessels and executed pre-planned responses to reduce the risk of miscalculation, avoid a collision, and to de-escalate the situation.
The IRGCN’s actions increased the risk of miscalculation and/or collision, were not in accordance with the internationally recognized Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) “rules of the road” or internationally recognized maritime customs. In addition, the IRGCN actions were not in accordance with the obligation under international law to act with due regard for the safety of other vessels in the area.
U.S. naval forces continue to remain vigilant and are trained to act in a professional manner, while our commanding officers retain the inherent right to act in self-defense.
The Firebolt and Baranof crews operated with distinct professionalism, superior seamanship and dispassionate yet firm resolve.
As professional mariners, we expect the IRGCN to operate with due regard for the safety of all vessels as required by international law.
The U.S. is not an aggressor; our naval forces remain postured in a non-provocative manner that exemplifies professionalism, incentivizes adherence to international law and customs, and persuades others to emulate our actions. Our forces are trained, however, to conduct effective defensive measures when necessary.
Video Credit: NAVCENT Public Affairs
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet
