Iranian navy chases American ship in Persian Gulf

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is reporting a suspicious approach to a merchant ship in the Persian Gulf near Iran. 

The master of the unidentified vessel reported his ship was approached by a small military craft and it has been flashing a green laser light towards the bridge. The small military craft continues to hail the vessel.

Splash will be bringing readers updates of this breaking story as they emerge. 

Iran has detained a number of merchant ships in recent years.