Thoughts from a professional mariner - Officer in the US Merchant Marine - that has transited the straits many times.
Ships do transit inside the 12 mile limit of Iran. This is due to the geography of the area, but is internationally recognized as internatinal waters for a transitting vessel. I have been on the bridge of merchant ships when we have been challenged. The correct action is to inform them of the ship’s name and that you are transiting the area on an international voyage and you keep going (usually at full ahead).
On the subject of the radio calls: The Persian Gulf - especially around the straits - is terrible for radio communications. At times there are a lot of unprofessional mariners filling the radio waves with useless talk. Once we timed an idiot chanting “Filipino monkey” over and over for 45 minutes. I’ve been in fast boats - going fast. It is hard to talk to someone next to you let alone on the radio as calmly as we hear the person on the news clip. It is possible that the radio transmission did not originate with the fast boats.
The officers on the briges of those ships acted professionaly and with courage. Those who have not been in their shoes should not judge their actions.
I’m not saying the tapes are fake or that the Iranians are right. All I’m saying is that my 17 years of going to sea tells me that there may be more to this story.
NOTE - The use of the chant above in no way is a personal opinion. I have sailed with some damn good men that happen to be filipino.
Thanks for the info from personal experience....I’ve never been close to the ME.
My grandson is on one of those ships in the latest news..Thank you for your insight.