US general blasts Iran's 'provocative' maritime conduct

A US general on Tuesday said Tehran is acting in an unsafe and provocative manner in the Persian Gulf, where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) frequently conducts risky maneuvers around US vessels. The comments from General Joe Votel, head of the US military's Central Command, came after the Pentagon last week denounced a series of "unprofessional" encounters in the Gulf, including one that prompted an American ship to fire warning shots. "In recent days, we have witnessed even more provocative activity by the IRGC and navy vessels," Votel said.