The World : Iran Intercepts 14 Vessels

Iranian marines intercepted and boarded 14 foreign freighters and oil tankers at the Strait of Hormuz looking for Iraq-bound goods, Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. All 14 vessels searched by the Iranian navy were allowed passage after no “suspicious” goods were found, said a war communique carried by IRNA. Iran has been intercepting ships in the strategic strait hunting for Iraq-bound goods that could be used in the war effort. Iran and Iraq have been at war since September, 1980. Interceptions and attacks on foreign ships by the Iranian navy in the southern Persian Gulf and at Hormuz, the outlet to the Arabian Sea, were in retaliation for Iraqi air raids on Iranian targets.