US: Iran launched rocket near ships

Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

The U.S. on Wednesday accused Iran of launching a “highly provocative” rocket test last week near its warships and commercial traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, exposing how tensions between the two countries could escalate even after a landmark nuclear deal.

The strategic Persian Gulf waterway, which sees nearly a third of all oil traded by sea pass through it, has been the scene of past confrontations between America and Iran, including a one-day naval battle in 1988.

But Saturday’s incident brought no immediate response from Iranian officials or media, while French authorities downplayed its danger.

Though the rockets weren’t fired in the direction of any ships, Cmdr. Kyle Raines, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said Iran’s “actions were highly provocative.”