In Veiled Warning to Iran, US Tells Gulf Mariners to Stay Clear of its Warships

In an alert that appeared aimed squarely at Iran, the US Navy issued a warning on Tuesday to mariners in the Gulf to stay 100 meters (yards) away from US warships or risk being "interpreted as a threat and subject to lawful defensive measures."

The notice to mariners, which was first reported by Reuters, follows US President Donald Trump's threat last month to fire on any Iranian ships that harass Navy vessels.

"Armed vessels approaching within 100 meters of a US naval vessel may be interpreted as a threat," according to the text of the notice.