Middle East unrest: Iran confronts US destroyer in Gulf of Oman; American vessel 'forced to retreat'

Iranian forces warned off a US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday in a clash Tehran says forced the American vessel to retreat, reported the country’s state television, as cited by AFP.The incident took place about a month after US strikes targeted Iran during a conflict with Israel.

State TV reported that an Iranian army helicopter flew over the USS Fitzgerald at around 10.00 am local time (0630 GMT) after the vessel “attempted to approach the waters under the supervision” of Iran.

The broadcaster, as quoted by AFP, said the US destroyer issued threats of its own, but “the Iranian pilot firmly continued the mission and reiterated the warning to stay away from Iranian waters.” Iranian forces then urged the US ship to “alter its course southward,” eventually forcing it to “give in” and turn away.

There was no immediate comment from the US Navy.

Iranian forces have a history of confronting US naval vessels in waters near its southern coast, including the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz . In 2023, Tehran claimed it forced a US submarine to surface while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a claim that Washington denied.

The latest incident follows US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 22 during a 12-day conflict between Tehran and Israel. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the damage from those strikes was “serious and severe” but stated that uranium enrichment would continue.