Heightened tensions as Iranian fighter jets and patrol boats shadow USS Abraham Lincoln while it sails down Strait of Hormuz

Daily Mail:

  • Passage ended a Gulf mission that displayed Western naval power amid heightened tensions with Iran
  • Tehran has threatened to choke off vital oil shipping lanes

By Associated Press

Last updated at 12:56 PM on 15th February 2012

Iranian patrol boats and aircraft shadowed a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group as it travelled through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday.

The passage ended a Gulf mission that displayed Western naval power amid heightened tensions with Tehran, which has threatened to choke off vital oil shipping lanes.

Officers aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln said there were no incidents with Iranian forces and described the surveillance as routine measures by Tehran near the strategic strait, which is jointly controlled by Iran and Oman.

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Surveillance: Iranian patrol boats and aircraft shadow the USS Abraham Lincoln as it travels down the Strait of Hormuz yesterdaySurveillance: Iranian patrol boats and aircraft shadow the USS Abraham Lincoln as it travels down the Strait of Hormuz yesterday

 

End of mission: The passage displayed Western naval power amid heightened tensions with Tehran, which has threatened to choke off the vital oil shipping laneEnd of mission: The passage displayed Western naval power amid heightened tensions with Tehran, which has threatened to choke off the vital oil shipping lane

Although U.S. warships have passed through the strait for decades, the trip comes during an escalating showdown between Iran and the West over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

The last time an American carrier left the Gulf – the USS John C Stennis in late December – Iran’s army chief warned the U.S. it should never return.

The Abraham Lincoln was the centrepiece of a flotilla that entered the Gulf last month along with British and French warships in a display of Western unity against Iranian threats. There was no immediate comment by Iran about the Abraham Lincoln’s departure.

Click through for more fantastic pictures. (The video is a bit weak though)

 

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

3 Replies to “Heightened tensions as Iranian fighter jets and patrol boats shadow USS Abraham Lincoln while it sails down Strait of Hormuz”

  1. Iran is probably waiting for some sign from a prophecy before they start the war, either that or they are waiting for Obama to cut our military further.

  2. Funny…I don’t see any pics of the subs that escort our carriers everywhere they go…one of which is said to be the equivilent of every other navy on the planet….combined! I can see the litter box people ‘trying’ to swell up over this, but in reality, they never had a chance….not even a little one!