US Navy attack threatens regional security: Iran

Iran on Tuesday criticized the actions of a US navy ship that shot at an approaching fishing boat off the United Arab Emirates, saying the incident showed foreign forces threatened regional security.

One Indian national was killed and three others injured on Monday when the US refueling ship, the USNS Rappahannock, opened fire on a small motor boat which US officials said ignored repeated warnings to halt its approach.

The United States has been building up its presence in the Gulf as Washington seeks to ramp up pressure on Iran over its nuclear program which it suspects is aimed at producing nuclear bombs. Teheran denies the accusation.

"We have announced time and again that the presence of foreign forces can be a threat to regional security," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said during a news conference broadcast on state television.

"Certainly regional countries with the help of one another can provide security in the best possible way. If they join hands, with their defensive capabilities, they don't need the presence of foreign forces. Anywhere where you see insecurity we have always seen the hand of foreign forces there."

The shooting took place in waters near the UAE port of Jebel Ali, across the Gulf from Iran, US Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement. The UAE state news agency, quoting a government official, identified all of the dead and wounded as Indian nationals.

US officials have not blamed terrorism or claimed any link between Iran and Monday's incident, and it appears the incident may have been due to a misunderstanding. An investigation is underway, the US navy said.

UAE to investigate

India says it has asked the UAE to investigate the incident.

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said on Tuesday that India has asked the UAE government to investigate the shooting.

The US ambassador to India, Nancy Powell, conveyed regret for the loss of life and assured Indian officials that the US government will conduct a full investigation.

The shooting took place not far from approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. It comes at a period of heightened tensions between the US and nearby Iran.

Iran's repeated threats to close the Strait of Hormuz - through which 40 percent of the world's sea-borne oil exports are carried - have alarmed Western capitals over the effect such an action could have on the price of oil.

Iranian spokesman Mehmanparast said the threats were "a deterrent" against those countries that have imposed sanctions against Iran and "threaten global energy supplies".

Krishna called the incident "unfortunate" and said he hoped that "the necessary action will be initiated".

The government of Dubai "has filed a case against this incident. They are proceeding according to the laws of that country", Krishna said.

Analysts say Washington will be keen to contain any diplomatic damage to its relations with India, which it has been seeking to promote as a key Asian ally to counterbalance China's influence and as a new export market for US companies.

"Since 2000 we've been very concerned about small boats," a defense official in Washington told AFP, referring to the year of a deadly suicide bomb attack against the destroyer USS Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden.

Reuters-AP-AFP