Iran Navy Confronts US Destroyer in Gulf of Oman

Iran deployed a naval helicopter to warn off a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Gulf of Oman, the country’s state media reported, in a clash Tehran says forced the American vessel to retreat.

The confrontation took place at around 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 23, Tasnim reported, and involved the USS Fitzgerald.

The report claimed that the destroyer threatened to target the Iranian helicopter unless it left the area. But the helicopter pilot persisted, Tasnim said, and the USS Fitzgerald ultimately changed course.

Newsweek has contacted the United States Naval Forces Central Command’s press affairs section via email for comment.

Tasnim shared a video it said was of the incident.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.