U.S. Warns Iranian Ships to Social Distance from Navy Vessels

U.S. Warns Iranian Ships to Social Distance from Navy Vessels
200506-N-IC246-0430 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 6, 2020) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) fires its 5-inch gun during a live-fire exercise. Forrest Sherman remains at sea in the Atlantic as a part of the certified Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), ready for tasking in order to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19, following their successful deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Keeping HSTCSG at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet, in the sustainment phase of OFRP, allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness during the global COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Raymond Maddocks/Released)

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The United States is now warning Iranian vessels to maintain social distancing as tensions in the Persian Gulf between the two countries escalates.  According to Reuters, the U.S. Navy issued a warning on Tuesday to Iranian vessels to maintain a 100-meter distance, or else being treated as a hostile risk and a threat, subject to “lawful defensive measures”.  Last month, President Trump gave naval ships the green light to light up any Iranian ships that threaten or harass U.S. Navy warships.  “Armed vessels approaching within 100 meters of a US naval vessel may be interpreted as a threat,” the statement said.   Ignoring safe social distancing could prove to be dangerous going forward for Iranian ships.