Farsi Island

Farsi Island (Persian: جزیره فارسی‎, romanized: jazīreye fârsī) is a tiny, barren Iranian island in the Persian Gulf. There is an IRGC Navy base on this island. The island has an area of about 0.25 km² (0.10 sq mi) and is restricted from the public. The center of Farsi Island is located at latitude 27° 59' 36" N and longitude 50° 10' 22" E. Its maximum elevation is 4 metres (13 ft). The word Farsi means "Persian".

Jazireh-ye Farsi Lighthouse

Iran
Location	Farsi Island Iran
Coordinates	27°59′35″N 50°10′21″E
Foundation	concrete base
Construction	metal skeletal tower
Tower shape	square pyramidal tower
Markings / pattern	white and black horizontal band tower
Tower height	23 metres (75 ft)
Focal height	28 metres (92 ft)
Range	16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 15s.
Admiralty number	D7455
NGA number	29364[1][2]

In the late 1980s, during the "Tanker War" phase of the Iran–Iraq War, the IRGC used speedboats to launch attacks from Farsi Island on vessels of Iraq and its allies, including Kuwait.[3] The United States entered the Persian gulf to protect Kuwaiti oil shipments. Iran planted naval mines near Farsi Island on the route of the first convoy, consisted of US navy vessels escorting the Kuwaiti oil tanker Bridgeton, which hit one of the mines.

On January 12, 2016, Iranian Revolutionary Guards forces stationed at the island apprehended two small vessels and their 10 U.S. Navy sailors after the latter entered Iranian waters.[4] The incident prompted talks between the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department regarding their release.[5] All 10 sailors and their vessels were released unharmed the following morning.[6]