Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats have threatened three US Navy ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz in what is being called a "serious provocation".

American forces were on the verge of firing on the vessels after being harrassed and provoked, according to Pentagon officials.

But, as the captain of one of the US ships was in the process of giving the order to fire, the Iranian boats suddenly veered away and ended the episode.

Iran has admitted the incident happened - but described it as "ordinary" and said it was resolved.

A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "It is the most serious provocation of this sort that we've seen yet."

He said the five Iranian speedboats "pretty much swarmed" the three US vessels in international waters with the Iranians threatening that one of the US ships would blow up in minutes.

The radio transmission from one of the Iranian ships reportedly said: "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes."

The White House has warned Tehran against taking such actions in the future.

"We urge the Iranians to refrain from such provocative actions that could lead to a dangerous incident in the future," said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

Officials said the Iranian vessels also dropped small white boxes into the water. It was not clear what the boxes contained.

It is thought the move may have been an attempt to ascertain what tactics the US ships would use if objects were dropped into the strait.

The incident happened as the US Navy cruiser, destroyer and frigate were crossing the strait on their way into the Persian Gulf.

It comes on the eve of a visit to the Middle East by US President George Bush, who said last week one of the aims of his trip was to counter Iran's ambitions in the region.

Washington has been engaged in a long standoff with Tehran over Iran's nuclear programme.

In March, Iran seized 15 British sailors and marines in the Gulf and accused them of trespassing in Iranian territory while they inspected a merchant vessel. Britain maintained its personnel were in Iraqi waters.


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I am sure there is no need to remind everyone reading this that there is also various other debates going on about the Muslims whether abroad or at home. I am sure we will see unrest in the coming years from this act of war from the Muslims. It's a shame the USA did not fire on Iran, put that country back another 1000 years.