On Wednesday, a brief confrontation on the brink of conflict occurred in the Gulf of Oman between a United States (U.S.)destroyer and an Iranian Navy helicopter, which ended with the U.S. vessel changing course, local media reported.
The incident took place at 10 a.m. local time when the USS Fitzgerald allegedly attempted to approach waters monitored by Iranian naval forces.
A naval aviation team from the Third Naval Region of the Iranian Navy (NEDAJA) quickly deployed a helicopter over the U.S. ship and warned it to turn back, Iranian state media reported.
In response, the U.S. destroyer allegedly threatened to target the Iranian helicopter and demanded that it leave the area, leading to a brief but tense confrontation on the brink of conflict.
Iranian media reported that the naval helicopter repeatedly warned the U.S. destroyer to stay away from Iranian waters, while the destroyer continued to issue its own warnings.
As the situation escalated, Iranian air defense units intervened and warned the USS Fitzgerald to change course and head south, according to reports.
In the end, the U.S. destroyer withdrew from the area under Iranian naval supervision, avoiding further confrontation.
There has still been no comment from the U.S. on the Iranian report.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington following a 12-day war during which U.S. bombers targeted three major Iranian nuclear facilities.
The attacks followed Israeli strikes on Iran that killed several high-ranking military commanders and nuclear scientists.
The escalation has put U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations on hold, although Iranian officials are scheduled to meet with European representatives (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) on Friday in Istanbul.
