Straits of Hormuz, Persian Gulf -- A few days ago a three-ship convoy of U.S. Naval Warships was passing through this area of international waters, when it is alleged that a number of high speed Iranian boats came dangerously close to the ships, harassing them.

President Bush called the act “provocative” and even U.S. Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, commander of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which patrols the Gulf, told Bush that he took the event “deadly seriously”.

This coming after the Navy reports it fired warning shots at Iranian boats in a similar incident in December, one of two serious encounters that month. But Iran has denied the event, even though the Pentagon released video tape of the alleged harassment.

"Some political factions in the U.S. are pursuing adventurism to help Bush to spread Iran-phobia in the region," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini

said at a weekly press conference. "U.S. officials should apologize to Iran, regional countries and the American people."

In the 36 minute video released on Friday, it is clear that the boats were indeed too close to the Warships, and it confirms that this was an active threat. The Iranians reportedly threw boxes into the water, triggering concerns of potential mine threats.

When listening to the United States video documentary of the situation on the high seas, you hear a voice (allegedly that of someone on one of the Iranian boats) saying “I am coming to you” and “You will explode…after minutes”. The Warships readied their weapons, in case the need arose to defend themselves.

Iranian officials are still persistent that the situation never happened, claiming that the U.S. fabricated the whole thing. A five-minute video released by Iran shows a man speaking into a handheld radio, with three U.S. ships floating in the distance. That footage did not show any Iranian boats approaching the U.S. vessels nor any provocation.

But this of course confirms that Iranian boats were in the vicinity, which begs the question why? And is it not more possible that Iran fabricated their video before or even after the actual event took place?

The latest incident caused the Pentagon to release more detailed information concerning the two other run-ins in December. The USS Whidbey Island fired the warning shots on December 19 in response to a small Iranian boat which was rapidly approaching.

Three days later, the USS Carr encountered three small Iranian craft, two of which were armed, said an anonymous Navy official. The USS Carr did not fire warning shots but sent warning blasts on the ships whistle, which caused the boats to turn around.

These three events have only heighten the tension between the U.S. and Iran, a known state sponsor of terrorism, who is providing the weapons being used to kill American soldiers in Iraq. Even though it has been learned that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons at this time, these situations have added greater risk of the possibility of confrontation.

In this volatile area of the world, we can’t be too safe, and we must take every precaution necessary to protect the lives of American’s. It is only more clear that terrorism is alive and well on this Earth, which is especially frightening at a time where the Chief of the U.S. Military says he favors closing down Guantanamo Bay Prison, because of the “bad publicity” it gives America.

Well I am sorry, but I think I am willing to take the “bad publicity” if it means making it easier to get information which saves the lives of our Soldiers, and leads to quicker and more secure convictions of terror criminals then would happen if they were prosecuted here, and allowed to tie up our legal system.

We need to continue to look at all options regarding Iran, and keep a close eye on them in the near future. Because at this time you never know what will happen, so you have to be as ready as you can.