Iranian helicopter made 'dangerous' approach to US Navy ship, Pentagon says
Iran and the United States are upping the ante in the Gulf ahead of a planned return to negotiations in Vienna.
An Iranian Navy helicopter flew dangerously close to a US Navy ship entering the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon confirmed on Monday.
The helicopter circled the USS Essex three times, at one point coming within 25 yards of the ship’s port side, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Monday. Video of the overflight filmed from the helicopter’s cockpit circulated on social media on Saturday.
Kirby described the encounter as “dangerous,” saying the crew of the USS Essex “took the necessary force-protection measures that they felt needed.”
“It is dangerous because it could lead to miscalculation,” said Kirby.
