World War 3: US orders Iran to stay away from warships or risk ‘being interpreted a threat – Express.co.uk

In what is clearly a direct message to Iran, the maritime alert warns "lawful defensive measures" will be taken against any craft that encroaches the 100m exclusion zone around US ships. The notice, issued by the Bahrain-based US Naval Forces Central Command, follows Mr Trumps threat last month to fire on any Iranian ships that harass Navy vessels.

Armed vessels approaching within 100 metres of a US Naval vessels may e interpreted as a threat

US Naval alert

It comes amid soaring tensions in the Gulf where Iranian gunboats have been approaching US warships at sea.

A US official said the new notice to mariners did not herald a change in the US militarys rules of engagement but was meant to serve as a reminder of its existing policy in the troubled region.

The Pentagon has previously stated Mr Trumps threat was designed to underscore the US Navys "right to self-defence".

The US President hit out after an incident last month in which 11 Iranian vessels came close to US Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf in what the US military called "dangerous and provocative" behaviour.

The notice says: "US Naval forces are conducting routine operations in the region with a commitment to freedom of navigation and the free flow of maritime commerce.

"Due to recent events and in order to enhance safety, minimise ambiguity and reduce opportunities for miscalculation, all vessels are advised to maintain a safe distance of at least 100 metres from US Naval vessels in international waters/straits.

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"Armed vessels approaching within 100 metres of a US Naval vessels may e interpreted as a threat and subject to lawful defensive measures.

"Mariners are reminded to operate in accordance with international law and with due regard for the safe navigation of other vessels.

"All vessels operating in the vicinity of US Naval vessels are advised to clearly commmunicate their intentions, respond to queries concerning course and speed, exercise principals of prudent seamanship as required under international law and remain at the maximum available distance from US Naval forces."

Iran has responded to the warning by insisting its navy will continue its "regular missions" in the Gulf.

An Iranian military official said: "The naval units of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman will continue their regular missions in accordance with professional principles as in the past."

Friction between Tehran and Washington has increased since 2018, when Mr Trump quit Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with six powers and reimposed sanctions on the country that have crippled its economy.

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Iran's Supreme Leader this week warned all Americans will be expelled from Iraq and Syria as he stepped up his calls for US troops to be withdrawn from the Middle East.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said US actions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria had led to them being hated, according to a transcript of a speech to students published on his website.

He said: "The Americans won't stay in Iraq and Syria and will be expelled."

A full-blown military conflict almost erupted when a US drone strike killed top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3, prompting Tehran to retaliate with a missile barrage against a US base in Iraq days later.

Last month, US President Donald Trump said he had instructed the US Navy to fire on any Iranian ships that harass it at sea but said later he was not changing the military's rules of engagement.

The head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, said the Islamic Republic would destroy US warships if its security was threatened in the Gulf.

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World War 3: US orders Iran to stay away from warships or risk 'being interpreted a threat - Express.co.uk