Press TV- An Iranian missile boat has warned off an American warship approaching an Iranian dhow in the Sea of Oman, the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army said in a statement on Sunday.
"The dhow, Shams (Sun), had set sail from the port city of Jask in southeastern Iran to test its motor. Forty-five miles (72 kilometers) into the sea, the vessels motor started to malfunction, prompting the sailors to alert the Iranian Navy," it said.
The Navy dispatched Falakhan (Sling) missile boat to the vessels rescue, whichtowed the broken-down dhow to the port but before that,the US destroyerwas seen approaching the site, it said.
"The American warship left the area with a warning and the announcement of the Falakhan missile boat's timely presence in the region," the statement said.
Iran's naval patrols and US warships have been engaged in a series of face-offs in the Persian Gulfin recent months, where Washington hasaccused Iranian vesselsof "harassing" American warships.
Iranian military commanders say while their units continue routine patrols, US naval units have changed their navigationalpatterns since President Donald Trump came into office,often engagingin provocative maneuvers near Iran's vessels.
In July, the Islamic Republic of Iran Guards Corps (IRGC)s Navy said USnaval buildup and invasive maneuvers targeting Iranian interests in the waters had been triggered by fear.
The Persian Gulf belongs to the Islamic Republic and regional Muslim countries and the presence of US forces, as a foreign country in this region, is defensive and out of fear, said IRGC Navy chief Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi.