New Video Released of IRGC Boats Confronting American Warship

As tensions escalate between Iran and the United States, Iranian television has released previously unpublished footage of IRGC speedboats approaching one of the largest American warships in the world in the Persian Gulf. The video shows a confrontation between the IRGC speedboats and the aircraft carrier 'Theodore Roosevelt.' According to Press TV, the IRGC boats approached the Roosevelt on the first of Farvardin this year (March 21, 2023) in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf is one of the most strategic international shipping routes in the world. The release of this footage comes just before the start of the second round of U.S. sanctions against Iran, targeting Iran's oil industry. Iranian military officials have repeatedly threatened to close the strait if the U.S. prevents Iran from selling oil. U.S. officials have also warned Iran about this, stating that such an action could provoke a military response from the U.S. The reporter states, 'These images are real and separate from any propaganda. Look and draw your own conclusions.' Press TV noted that the Islamic Republic has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate any interference in its territorial waters and will respond decisively. This comes after U.S. Navy Commander stated on May 15, 2023, that the Trump administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA marked the beginning of a 'period of uncertainties' for the U.S. military regarding Iran's behavior in the Persian Gulf, and that the U.S. is closely monitoring these behaviors. Rear Admiral John Richardson made these remarks following his visit to the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush in Virginia, adding that the U.S. military has not seen any 'provocative actions' from Iran since Trump's announcement to withdraw from the JCPOA, but is keeping a close watch. Over the past years, various reports have been published regarding Iran's actions in the Persian Gulf and the U.S. military's responses to them. In July, a spokesperson for the U.S. Navy Command Center announced that an Iranian drone approached the U.S. aircraft carrier 'Nimitz' in the Persian Gulf, which he claimed violated 'maritime customs and international laws.' In response, the IRGC's drone unit stated, without providing details, that its aerial patrol mission was conducted 'within the air defense control of the country in a normal manner' and, as described by this unit, 'in accordance with current laws.' This incident marked the second confrontation of this kind within just a week. U.S. officials claim that the IRGC's actions in approaching their ships are 'unprofessional' and 'dangerous,' and could pose a 'risk of miscalculation.' On January 12, 2016, Iran detained 10 American sailors in the Persian Gulf, and according to Press TV, the IRGC announced the next day that it would release them if the U.S. apologized for its incursion into Iranian waters. Military commanders from both countries have claimed in recent months that the 'behavior' of the other side in the Persian Gulf has changed, leading to the belief that no tension has arisen between Iranian and American military vessels in the region. Donald Trump, during his 2016 election campaign, warned that if he won, Iran's 'harassing' boats would be targeted. In September of this year, Admiral Scott Stearney, commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, told reporters at the fleet's base in Bahrain that the U.S. Navy plans to conduct exercises in September to demonstrate its readiness to ensure freedom of navigation in the waterways of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.