Iran has claimed that it warned a US Navy destroyer to change its course as it approached Iranian-occupied Gulf of Oman, but the US has claimed that the conflict was “professional” and had no effect on its naval mission.
The incident, which was the first direct encounter between Iranian and US forces since Iran and Israel’s 12-day conflict in June, was captured on a helicopter that was dispatched to confront the USS Fitzgerald, according to Iranian state media.
In a provocative move, the US destroyer “Fitzger” made an attempt to enter waters under Iranian state television’s control.
A helicopter is seen flying close to the warship during the incident, and an Iranian crew member can be heard reportedly issuing an English radio warning to the ship as it approached Iran’s territorial waters at around 10am local time (06:00 GMT).
The incident was characterized as a tense exchange by Iranian state media.
On Wednesday, IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News obtained video that it claimed showed a USS Fitzgerald, a US-guided missile destroyer, being forced to reverse its course by an Iranian navy helicopter. According to the report, the warship approached waters in the Sea of Oman that were under Iran’s control. pic. twitter.com/gcfMQ23K6f
The Iranian aircraft’s US destroyer reportedly threatened to shoot it if it didn’t leave. After the Iranian military issued more warnings, the ship eventually left the area.
Iranian officials disputed the Iranian source of the tension, calling the situation “a safe and professional interaction.”
A US defense official declined to comment on the incident and declined to comment on how serious it was when contacted by the Reuters news agency.
According to the official, “This interaction had no impact on the mission of USS Fitzgerald, and any reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has attempted to spread misinformation are falsehoods and attempts,”
The official identified the aircraft as an Iranian SH-3 “Sea King” helicopter despite the claim that the conversation took place entirely in international waters.
Last month, the US military bombed Iranian nuclear sites, adding to Israel’s conflict with Iran. Donald Trump, the president of the United States, praised the strikes as a “spectacular” success that “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.
However, citing intelligence assessments, media reports in the US suggest that the campaign only partially succeeded, with the Fordow facility reportedly destroyed from all three Iranian nuclear sites.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in an interview that Tehran was prepared for any possible conflict Israel might have with it that might arise in the future.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply