广播听力：US Warns Iran Against 'Provocative' Naval Moves

US officials have warned Iran against what Washington calls 'provocative' moves, saying Iranian boats have harassed and provoked three US Navy ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, threatening to set off explosions near the American vessels.

An official from Pentagon added US forces were on the verge of firing on the Iranian boats early on Sunday when the boats - believed to be from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy - turned and moved away.

US Defence Department spokesman Bryan Whitman called it a serious incident.

"We would urge Iran to refrain from any provocative actions that could lead to dangerous incidents in the future. The Department of Defence can provide you with the details of the particular incident, bottom line is that our ship, after the incident occurred moved along safely and continued on its mission."

The incident raised tensions between Washington and Tehran as President George W. Bush prepared for his first major trip to the Middle East.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said Monday that the weekend incident was something normal and was resolved.