U.S. Navy divers exploded a mine found drifting in international waters in the northern Persian Gulf about 35 miles from the Iranian military base on Farsi Island, officials said. A press pool report filed Sunday from the USS Copeland said the mine was the first found in the region by the Navy since the USS Samuel Roberts struck one last month, wounding 10 sailors and leaving a gaping hole in its hull. Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Mark Van Dyke told pool reporters that the guided missile frigate USS Simpson spotted the mine Sunday about 35 miles southwest of Farsi Island, where Iran maintains a major base.
