Iran Confronts U.S. Submarine

The Iranian fleet forced a U.S. submarine to surface as it entered the Gulf, according to Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani in a statement to state television on Thursday. The Iranian official said, "The American submarine was approaching while submerged, but the Iranian submarine Fateh detected it and executed maneuvers to compel it to surface while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. It also entered our territorial waters but corrected its course after receiving a warning." He added, "The submarine was making every effort, utilizing all its capabilities, to pass without being detected. We will certainly clarify to international bodies that it violated our boundaries." In response, the U.S. Fifth Fleet denied what it called "misleading information" from Iran. Spokesperson Timothy Hawkins stated to Reuters, "No U.S. submarine transited the Strait of Hormuz today or recently. This claim represents further Iranian misinformation that does not contribute to regional maritime security and stability."