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.
The amphibious assault ship USS Essex sails off the coast of Dili, East Timor, Oct. 31, 2001.
The amphibious assault ship USS Essex sails off the coast of Dili, East Timor, Oct. 31, 2001. - Michael B. Lewis/Getty Images
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Jared Szuba
@JM_Szuba

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.

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