American ships in British Convoys...fair targets?

[maillemaker]

Last night I made it through the Strait of Gibraltar.

On the Eastern side I encountered a large convoy that was mostly escorted by British destroyers, but there was also an American battleship running alongside and many of the ships of the convoy, including one massive tanker, were flagged American.

But Americans are not enemies yet. So I passed on all the American ships.

Were they legit targets as far as the game goes?

Steve