Iran fires at, boards Marshall Islands cargo ship; U.S. sending defense
(Worthy News)– Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, similar to an Iranian coast guard, boarded a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel Tuesday morning after firing shots at the ship, prompting the U.S. military to send a ship and plane to the vessel’s defense, the Washington Times reported.
The Pentagon said at least five Iranian patrol vessels approached the Maersk Tigris cargo ship as it was transiting the Straight of Hormuz and directed the ship to proceed further into Iranian waters.
When the ship’s master declined, an Iranian ship fired shots across the bridge of the cargo vessel, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said. After shots were fired, the ship followed the direction to proceed into Iranian waters near the vicinity of Larak Island. It was boarded by members of the Iranian coast guard and is being held in Iranian waters with about 30 people onboard.
Col. Warren called it “inappropriate” for Iran to fire shots at the cargo ship. –[wp_colorbox_media url=”http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/28/iran-fires-boards-marshall-islands-cargo-ship/” type=”iframe” hyperlink=”Source”]