News agencies reported on Jan. 9 that after the Strait of Hormuz incident, the U.S. Defense Department warned Iranian regime if US ships come across similar incidents and threats will react and use regular rules of engagements to confront threat.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman called the allegation “absurd” and said that “explanations of this nature reflect an inherent disregard for the seriousness of this incident.”
Mark Kimmitt, deputy assistant defense secretary for the Middle East, in a press conference said: on Sunday the IRGC speedboats action against US warships is a clear evidence of aggressive policy by the Iranian regime.