Donald Trump news - Iranian missile boat tries to 'blind' US pilots
GETTY US and Iranian relations are set to decline after an Iranian boat fired a laser at a US helicopter
In what appears to be a show of strength, the boat pointed a laser at a US Marine helicopter which was monitoring a series of US warships – two Navy warships and a cargo ship – leaving the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, a US defence official confirmed. The Iranian boat reportedly came within less than mile of the American ships, before it fired a laser at the helicopter.
Islamic Revolution: Shocking moments depict the horrors of the events Fri, February 10, 2017 The event marks the 38th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, which came ten days after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's return from his exile in Paris to Iran, toppling the monarchy system and forming the Islamic republic. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 19 Demonstrators loot government bureaus and banks as well as liquor shops, cabarets and cinemas during the Revolution in Tehran, 4th November 1978
According to reports, the helicopter tried to deter the offensive boat by releasing a series of flares. Condemning the interaction as “unsafe and unprofessional”, Commander Bill Urban said in a statement: “Illuminating helicopters with lasers at night is dangerous as it creates a navigational hazard that can impair vision and can be disorienting to pilots using night vision goggles.” The news follows reports of President Trump’s deteriorating diplomatic relations with Iran.
Illuminating helicopters with lasers at night is dangerous US Commander Bill Urban
Earlier this week the US defence was forced to shoot down an Iranian drone in Syria, which was trying to attack their forces. But last week, Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Had Zarif, strongly criticised the US for attempting to impose new sanctions on Iran. Mr Zarif also accused President Trump of showing a lack of sympathy after the Islamic State struck terror in Tehran, Iran.
Responding to the attack, President Trump said: “We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times. We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote.” In response, Mr Zarif tweeted: “Repugnant [White House] statement and Senate sanctions as Iranians counter terror backed by US clients. Iranian people reject such US claims of friendship.”
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