Iran Revolutionary Guards report new incident with U.S. Navy in GulfJuly 29, 2017 - 13:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday, July 29 that the U.S. Navy had approached their patrol vessels in the Gulf and fired flares in what it called a provocative move, AFP reports. "At 4 pm (1130 GMT) on Friday, the supercarrier USS Nimitz and its accompanying warship, while being monitored by the Guards' frigates, flew a helicopter near the Resalat oil and gas platform and approached the force's ships," the Guards said. "The Americans in a provocative and unprofessional move, sent a warning message to the frigates and fired flares." The Guards "ignored the unconventional move by the U.S. ships and continued their mission, after which the supercarrier and its warship left the area," the statement added. On Tuesday, a U.S. Navy patrol ship fired warning shots at a Guards boat in the Gulf as it closed in on the American vessel, U.S. officials said. The Guards denied approaching the U.S. ship on that occasion and said it was the American vessel that had been at fault. There have been a string of close encounters between U.S. ships and Iranian vessels in the Gulf in recent months. In January, the USS Mahan destroyer fired warning shots at four Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels that approached at high speed in the Strait of Hormuz, which connects it to the Indian Ocean. The Revolutionary Guards are a paramilitary force that answers directly to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |