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Iran Warns U.S. Warship to Leave Naval Drill Area

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 8:22 am | < 1 Minute Read

In this Oct. 26 2015, photo provided by the U.S. Navy, Riverine Command Boat (RCB) 802, assigned to Combined Task Group (CTG) 56.7, conducts patrol operations in the Persian Gulf. Iran was holding 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats, similar to the one in this picture, on Jan. 12, 2016, after the boats had mechanical problems and drifted into Iranian waters. American officials have received assurances from Tehran that they will be returned safely and promptly. (Torrey W. Lee/U.S. Navy via AP) — Riverine Command Boat (RCB) 802, assigned to Combined Task Group (CTG) 56.7, conducts patrol operations in the Persian Gulf. (Torrey W. Lee/U.S. Navy via AP)

Iran’s semi-official FARS news agency said that the country’s navy has warned a U.S. warship to leave an area in the Sea of Oman where Iran has been conducting a naval drill.

The agency on Wednesday quoted Iranian navy chief, Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, as saying that the U.S. warship received two warnings before leaving the area.

He says that he believes the Americans had approached the area to “learn our tactics.”

Iran on Wednesday began a naval drill near the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The warning was the first such incident since 10 U.S. sailors were briefly captured by Iran on Jan. 13 after drifting into Iranian territorial waters.