Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that an Iranian military helicopter approached the US destroyer USS Fitzgerald on Tuesday after the ship "tried to enter Iranian territorial waters" in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian helicopter pilot signaled the US warship to change course and not enter Tehran's territorial waters.

The US destroyer allegedly threatened to target the Iranian military helicopter if it did not leave the area. However, Tasnim said the Iranian pilot insisted on ordering the US warship to "change course southward," forcing the ship to turn around and leave.

The US Navy has not commented on this information.

Iranian forces have previously confronted US forces in the waters off the south of the country, such as the Gulf of Oman. In 2023, Tehran claimed to have forced a US submarine to surface while passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but Washington denied this claim.

This latest encounter occurred after the US air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities on 22/6. The US Air Force deployed a fleet of seven B-2 stealth bombers to drop 14 GBU-57 bombs on targets in Iran. Twelve of these targeted the Fordow uranium enrichment plant, dubbed Iran's "nuclear fortress," while the other two hit an underground facility at the Natanz nuclear site.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted the damage caused by US forces was "very serious," but affirmed that the country would not abandon its controversial uranium enrichment program.

Thuy Lam (*AFP, Tasnim*)