The Iranian Navy forced the Ohio-class nuclear submarine Florida, which tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz, to surface, Islamic Republic's Navy Commander Amir Shahram Irani said on Thursday, according to Tasnim News Agency.
"The submarine was approaching the Strait of Hormuz while submerged. The Iranian submarine Fateh detected it and forced it to the surface to cross the strait," the agency quoted Irani as saying.
He also noted that the Florida changed course and continued on its way, accompanied by an Iranian Navy submarine. "Because [the US] submarine was close to Iranian territorial waters, it received the relevant warning, changed its course and continued on its way with an escort," Irani said.
In early April, the US Navy announced its decision to send the nuclear-powered submarine Florida to the Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain. According to the US side, the submarine is to conduct patrols in the Middle East region. The Florida is equipped with cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
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Based on materials from TASS