U.S. protests against Iran over maritime confrontation

Source: Xinhua | 01-11-2008 08:09

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Thursday it has lodged an official protest against Iran over a weekend incident in which, Washington said, that five Iranian boats had harassed and threatened three U.S. Navy warships in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

"We have in fact now prepared and given to the Swiss a diplomatic note formally protesting this incident," State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.

On Tuesday, U.S. President George W. Bush accused Iran of the "provocative act." "They shouldn't have done what they did," Bush said.

Prior to Bush's accusation, the Bush administration warned Iran to refrain from taking "provocative actions that could lead to a dangerous incident in the future."

The United States has no diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980. Since then, Switzerland has been looking after American interests in Tehran via its embassy.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei