Iranian search planes overfly US ships in Gulf

For the second time in three days, Iranian reconnaissance planes overflew US warships in the Persian Gulf, the US Defense Department spokesman said Thursday. On May 28,an Iranian C-130 flew near the US Destroyer Molinex three times at an altitude of 1,000 feet before returning to Iran. On May 26, the USS LaSalle reported three similar passes by an Iranian C-130 between the coasts of Iran and Bahrain. No US aircraft apparently intercepted the Iranian flights in either instance.

Also May 26, a US Navy F-14 fighter intercepted two Soviet IL-38 patrol planes as they flew close to a US aircraft carrier battle group. US warships in the Indian Ocean now total 27, as against 30 Soviet naval ships.