Iran says it warned off US ship, Navy denies it
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran says it warned off a US Navy warship during a rescue of a boat in the Gulf of Oman, while American officials say there was no direct contact.
The US Navy said yesterday the incident happened Wednesday and involved a small vessel some 75 nautical miles from the USS Tempest, a coastal patrol boat. The Navy says another boat much closer offered assistance, with that vessel communicating with Iranian naval forces.
Iran offered a different version of the incident. Press TV , the English language arm of its State broadcaster, said yesterday that the Iranian navy “warned off an American warship” while rescuing the stranded dhow, a traditional ship.
The US and Iran routinely have tense encounters in the Persian Gulf.