Iranian vessels harass US navy ships in Hormuz Strait

WASHINGTON, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) - Five Iranian naval vessels harassed three US warships and broadcast threatening messages late Saturday in an incident in international waters in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported Monday citing US military sources.

No shots were fired in the incident, but US officials were preparing to fire just before the Iranian vessels -- believed to be operated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard -- turned away, CNN said.

"I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes," the Iranians said in radio transmissions, according to US officials.

The Iranians also dropped unidentified white boxes into the water right in front of one of the US ships, officials told CNN said.