Iran’s aircraft buzzes US helicopter in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN (FNA)- An Iranian military observation aircraft flew within 50 yards of an armed US Navy helicopter over the Persian Gulf this month, the US media said.

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter approached the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in November 2014, CNN claimed in a Tuesday report.

According to CNN, “The incident took place as the U.S. and other world powers meet with Iran in Switzerland to negotiate a deal limiting Tehran’s nuclear program. At the same time, Iran has been active in supporting proxies in several hotspots in the Persian Gulf and neighboring regions.The Navy MH-60R armed helicopter was flying from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson on a routine patrol in international airspace, the official said.”

An unarmed Iranian observation Y-12 aircraft approached. The Iranian aircraft made two passes at the helicopter, coming within 50 yards, before the helicopter moved off, according to the official.

The incident, which has not been publicly disclosed, troubled US military officials, said the report.

The Navy MH-60R armed helicopter was flying from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson on a routine patrol in international airspace, a US official said.

The Navy helicopter was in radio contact with the ship during the encounter, but there was no contact between the two aircraft and no shots were fired.