(NBC News) Courtney Kube - Six armed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fast inshore attack craft approached both the USS Rushmore and the Essex in the Persian Gulf Friday. Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, was visiting and watching from the bridge. Capt. Brian Mutty said that during a radio transmission earlier in the day an IRGCN sailor warned that if the Essex continued to fly one of its helicopters around the Iranian boats, the Iranians would shoot at it. The chopper continued to fly and no shots were fired. While the U.S. Navy hasn't had any interactions with Iran that the U.S. deemed unsafe or as full-fledged "harassment," Iranian boats in the region continue to pester U.S. ships on a routine basis, according to sailors on the Essex.
2018-10-31 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive