Iran releases video alleging encounter with American carrier

By

The Associated Press

An EA-18G Growler from the “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron 139 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt during the 2018 deployment in the 5th Fleet area of operations. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf/Navy)

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s state TV has broadcast footage purporting to show a close encounter between the Revolutionary Guard’s navy and the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt early this year.

PressTV’s website says the encounter occurred March 21 in the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, the passageway for nearly a third of all oil traded by sea. The TV agency says the video was aired Saturday as part of a documentary.

The footage is likely meant as a show of strength amid new U.S. sanctions on Iran and the Trump administration plans to bring Iranian oil exports down to zero.

In the video, Guard speedboats are seen closing in on the U.S. carrier.

Iranian sailors then warn the Americans over radio communication to “keep well clear” of the Guard patrol boats and say they advise the Americans to “refrain from the threat or use of force in any manner.”