New tensions between Revolutionary Guards and U.S. Navy

The USS Nimitz and an accompanying warship drew close to a rocket-bearing Iranian vessel on Friday and sent out a helicopter near a number of Guards vessels close to the Resalat oil and gas platform, the Guards said in a statement published by their official news site Sepah News.

"The Americans made a provocative and unprofessional move by issuing a warning and shooting flares at vessels ...,” the statement said. "Islam’s warriors, without paying attention to this unconventional and unusual behaviour from the American vessels, continued their mission in the area and the aircraft carrier and accompanying battleship left the area."

A U.S. military statement said a U.S. Navy helicopter saw several IRGC vessels approaching U.S forces at a high rate of speed and deployed flares after it could not establish communications with the boats.

The statement said the interaction was "safe and professional."