Maritime safety

US Navy Spy Ship Forced to Change Course After Iranian Attack Vessels Approach

The USNS Invincible, escorted by the British Royal Navy, experienced a close encounter with high-speed attack ships deployed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, ultimately compelling the US spy ship and her formation to alter her course.

The Invincible, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which the US Energy Information Agency calls "the world’s most important oil chokepoint," was approached by "multiple" Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG) fast-attack ships. When the IRG ships were within 600 yards of the naval formation, they halted their advance, a US official said on Monday.