US 'almost opened fire' on Iranian ships

Map: where the ships clashed

James Orr and agencies
Monday January 7, 2008

Guardian Unlimited

US warships came close to opening fire on Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, the Pentagon said today.

The incident followed a series of "aggressive" provocations by five boats believed to belong to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard.

US officials told CNN the boats were "attack craft" which had approached US vessels in international waters on Saturday.

Oil prices rose about 30 cents to more than $98 (£50) a barrel following the incident, with traders citing increased risk of possible disruptions to oil shipments.