US Navy warns vessels in the Middle East to stay away from its warships or risk being seen as a ‘threat’

  • The US Navy warned vessels in the Middle East to stay at least 100 meters from US warships in a Tuesday notice.
  • “Armed vessels approaching within 100 meters of a US naval vessel may be interpreted as a threat and subject to lawful defensive measures,” the notice read.
  • The warning comes after President Donald Trump said in late April he had ordered the Navy to “destroy” Iranian gunboats that get too close to US ships, an apparent response to an incident last month in which Iranian vessels harassed US Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf.

In a message clearly aimed at Iran, US Naval Forces Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, issued a warning Tuesday ordering foreign vessels to stay away from its warships or risk being seen as a threat.

A Notice to Mariners issued Tuesday said that “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 meters from US naval vessels in international waters/straits.”

“Armed vessels approaching within 100 meters of a US naval vessel may be interpreted as a threat and subject to lawful defensive measures,” the notice added.

Read the article by Ryan Pickrell in Business Insider Australia.