The Washington Post

November 22, 1987, Sunday, Final Edition

Iranian Boats Hit Greek Ships in Gulf

BYLINE: From News Services and Staff Reports

SECTION: FIRST SECTION; PAGE A23; AROUND

LENGTH: 172 words

DATELINE: MANAMA,

An Iranian gunboat attacked a Greek tanker early today in apparent retaliation for a wave of Iraqi air strikes on Iranian shipping routes in the , shipping sources said. The sources said the 63,953- ton Andromeda, flying the Greek flag, was attacked at 3:25 a.m. off the coast of Dubai, but that it sustained only minor damage. No injuries were reported. It was not immediately known what weapons were used in the attack. It was the second attack on a Greek-flagged vessel by the Iranians in 12 hours. Yesterday, Iranian gunboats strafed the 29,018-ton Jimilta as it passed near Farsi Island, but the ship was not thought to be seriously damaged. Earlier, a U.S. Navy Blackhawk helicopter chased away Iranian warships threatening a small U.S.-flag ship in the southern gulf, the sources said. The helicopter, from an American frigate, responded to a call from the Gulf Fleet 104. The ship, with the U.S.-based Gulf Fleet, radioed for help off Dubai when approached by an Iranian speedboat and a larger ship.

COUNTRY: GULF STATES (93%); UNITED STATES (93%); BAHRAIN (79%); (73%);

STATE: (93%);

COMPANY: US NAVY (56%);

SUBJECT: PERSIAN GULF; IRAN; GREECE MARINE SHIPPING (90%); NAVIES (78%); NAVAL VESSELS (78%); MILITARY HELICOPTERS (72%);

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

TYPE: FOREIGN NEWS

Copyright 1987 The Washington Post