Tehran/Washington - The United States Monday warned Iran against naval manoeuvres that threatened US ships and could lead to a "dangerous incident" - while Iran denied any provocation. Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, was referring to apparent incidents over the weekend where, according to CNN, five Iranian ships made threatening moves against US Navy vessels.
However, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards spokesman in Tehran issued a vehement denial of any provocative act in the Gulf region.
"The Navy of the Revolutionary Guards has neither attacked nor provoked American warships," he told the Al-Alam news broadcaster.
The CNN report said that in one case, a boat operated by Iran's Revolutionary Guard came within 180 metres of a US ship and broadcast threats of an explosion.
"We urge the Iranians to refrain from such provocative actions that could lead to a dangerous incident in the future," Johndroe said in a statement.
US officers put their ship on notice of imminent attack, and were on the verge of ordering an assault when the Iranian boats turned back - but not before throwing a white container into the sea, CNN reported, quoting military sources.
The contents of the container were unknown.
