Iran Navy helicopter intercepts US destroyer in Gulf of Oman in bold air stunt

An Iranian navy helicopter confronted a US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday, marking the first direct encounter between Iranian and American forces since their 12-day war in June, according to Al Jazeera's coverage of the incident. The confrontation occurred when the USS Fitzgerald guided missile destroyer approached waters that Iran considers under its monitoring. Iranian state television reported that the helicopter flew in close proximity to the warship around 10 a.m. local time, with crew members issuing radio warnings in English ordering the vessel to change course.

The Iranian media described the exchange as tense, with the US destroyer reportedly threatening to target the Iranian aircraft if it did not leave the area. Al Jazeera noted that Iranian state media published video footage showing the helicopter flying directly over the American warship during what they called a provocative move by the US vessel.

The incident involved an Iranian SH-3 Sea King helicopter that was dispatched to intercept the USS Fitzgerald as it approached Iranian territorial waters, as detailed in AP News reports on the confrontation. The American warship was operating in the region when Iranian forces detected its approach and sent the helicopter to investigate. AP News explained that during the tense exchange, the US vessel responded to Iranian warnings by threatening to target the aircraft if it remained in the area.

Iranian air defense forces then announced that the helicopter was under full protection of Iran's integrated air defense system. The news agency reported that the USS Fitzgerald eventually retreated southward after the warnings, though it remained unclear exactly how close the warship had come to Iranian territorial waters. This encounter represents the first direct military interaction between the two nations since recent conflicts in the region.

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US defense officials strongly disputed Iran's version of events, with Fox News reporting that American military sources called the encounter safe and professional rather than confrontational. The defense official emphasized that the USS Fitzgerald was operating in international waters off the Gulf of Oman throughout the entire incident, contradicting Iranian claims about territorial water violations. 

Fox News coverage highlighted that US Central Command maintained the interaction had no impact on the destroyer's mission and dismissed Iranian reports as misinformation spread by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The American military stated it would continue to operate safely and professionally, according to international norms and customs.