US aircraft carrier 'spotted' in Iran wargames zone

A US aircraft carrier entered a zone near the Strait of Hormuz being used by the Iranian navy for wargames. The Iranian aircraft took video and photos of the US vessel. The US aircraft carrier was believed to be the USS John C. Stennis, one of the US navy's biggest warships. US officials announced Wednesday that the ship and its accompanying battle group moved through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch at the entrance to the Gulf that is the world's most important check point for oil shipments. After warnings from the Iranian government and navy this week that Iran could close the strait if threatened by further Western sanctions, the US Defense Department warned Wednesday that such actions "will not be tolerated." The United States maintains a navy presence in the Gulf in large part to ensure oil traffic there is unhindered.