U.S. Navy says Iran prepares suicide bomb boats in Gulf

Monday, 13 February 2012

U.S. Vice Admiral Mark Fox said some of the small Iranian boats have been outfitted with a large warhead that could be used as a suicide explosive device. (File photo)

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By Warda Al-Jawahiry

REUTERS / MANAMA 

Iran has built up its naval forces in the Gulf and prepared boats that could be used in suicide attacks, but the U.S. Navy can prevent it from blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the commander of U.S. naval forces in the region said on Sunday.

Iran has made a series of threats in recent weeks to disrupt shipping in the Gulf or strike U.S. forces in retaliation if its oil trade is shut down by sanctions, or if its disputed nuclear program comes under attack.

“They have increased the number of submarines ... they increased the number of fast attack craft,” Vice Admiral Mark Fox told reporters. “Some of the small boats have been outfitted with a large warhead that could be used as a suicide explosive device. The Iranians have a large mine inventory.”

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