Today: 28 October 2025
31 May 2021
1 min read

Two Iranian ships on US radar

The sources said the American officials were not sure of the destination of the Iranian naval vessels, but they believe “they may be ultimately headed for Venezuela.”…reports Asian Lite News

US national security officials are reportedly monitoring two Iranian ships which are believed to be headed to Venezuela, according to a news report.

The Politico, citing three people familiar with the matter, said “an Iranian frigate and the Makran, a former oil tanker that was converted to a floating forward staging base, have been heading south along the east coast of Africa.”

The newspaper said the move could be perceived as “provocative” amid tense US-Iranian relations, the Arab News reported.

The sources said the American officials were not sure of the destination of the Iranian naval vessels, but they believe “they may be ultimately headed for Venezuela.”

Three weeks ago, a US Coast Guard ship had fired warning shots during a close encounter with vessels belonging to the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) in the Strait of Hormuz.

Six US Navy vessels escorting the USS Georgia, a guided missile submarine, encountered 13 IRGCN fast attack boats while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the Iranian boats approached the US formation at high speed, closing in as close as 150 yards (about 137 metres).

The US Coast Guard Cutter Maui fired about 30 warning shots from a machine gun before the Iranian boats left, Kirby added.

That was the second such encounter in two weeks.

In April, a US Navy patrol ship fired warning shots as IRGCN vessels approached to an “unnecessarily close range” in international waters of the northern Persian Gulf.

The incident came days after the US Navy seized an illicit shipment of weapons, including thousands of small arms and dozens of anti-tank guided missiles, from a stateless dhow in the North Arabian Sea.

ALSO READ: Stage set for Biden-Putin summit

Previous Story

Pompeo says Wuhan lab was into military research

Next Story

N Korea slams US on S Korea missile pact

Latest from Asia News

Gazans Struggle to Revive Life

Today, Gaza’s markets seem to awaken from beneath the ruins. Partially destroyed shops opened their doors amid streets littered with debris, while merchants attempt to arrange what remains of their goods on

GAZA AID: MSF raps Israel

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Israel Continues to Use Aid as a Weapon of War Against Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel

World Court slams Israel

The International Court of Justice says Israel must uphold human rights and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians, adding moral pressure on Tel Aviv amid Gaza’s worsening crisis….reports Asian Lite News The International

Arab world blasts Israel’s annexation bid

Arab and Muslim nations unite to denounce Israel’s West Bank annexation bills, citing international law and ICJ rulings, as Israel freezes legislation amid global diplomatic pressure. A broad coalition of Arab and

Clearing A Mess in Gaza

Municipalities across Gaza have mobilized their limited resources to clear streets and set up temporary shelters for thousands of displaced families…reports Asian Lite News The conflict has left behind an estimated 55
Go toTop

Don't Miss

SCO, BRICS Expansion: Reshaping Global Power Dynamics

Even though the grouping still has to decide regarding the

UAE-US: United by Innovation and Progress

An Op-Ed by US Ambassador to the UAE Martina Strong,