US officials have alleged that a group of 11 Iranian naval ships pursued American warships in the Persian Gulf near Kuwait on Wednesday in a very dangerous manner. Iranian officials did not immediately mention the incident. The incident came to light when a tanker bearing the Hong Kong flag was captured by armed men believed to be Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

The Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet of the US Navy said in a statement that ships of Revolutionary Guards repeatedly chased many US ships at close and high speeds. "This dangerous and provocative action increased the risk of collision and the action was not in accordance with the obligation under international law to protect other vessels in the area," the statement said.

Significantly, incidents of tension between Iranian and American troops are common in the Persian Gulf, whereas Iran seized the ships last year and the US accused them of attacking tankers in the area.