The House report did not find credibility in State Department claims that Ambassador Chris Stevens himself rejected the use of the SST.
Gregory Hicks, the No. 2 at the facility under Stevens, “vehemently denied this claim,” according to the House report.
Iran Wants Joint Naval Exercises With Russia
After reportedly dispatching warships to the Atlantic Ocean, Iran has now proposed to Russia that they carry out joint naval exercises in May, according to informed Middle Eastern security officials.
The officials told said that Moscow is considering the proposal but that there was no immediate decision from Russia.
The officials said the proposal was likely a response to Iranian reports of U.S. vessels in the Persian Gulf. According to the reports, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has deliberately spent time outside the Gulf as a gesture to Iran while the West attempts to implement its interim nuclear agreement with Tehran.
However, the Iranians believe the U.S. made a decision to send warships toward the Emirates and Bahrain.
Last week, Iranian state-run media quoted senior naval commander Adm. Afshin Rezayee Haddad saying his country sent a destroyer and helicopter-carrying supply ship to the Atlantic. He said the ships will sail close to U.S. maritime borders.
