The Navy Send Patrol Vessels And Military Helicopters, Iran Dismissed The United States Maritime Drones Who Had Been Detained

United States coast patrol ship USS Thunderbolt (PC-12). (Wikimedia Commons/US Fifth Fleet/US Naval Forces Central Command)

JAKARTA - The United States Navy prevented Iranian ships from capturing an American maritime drone in the Persian Gulf from Monday night until Tuesday local time, a senior US commander said who rated it a 'prick' and 'unfounded' incident.

US troops in the region were in transit in international waters at 11 p.m., while looking at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCN) Navy ship Shahid Baziar, recalling a maritime drone operated by the US, also known as the Silicone Explorer's surface vessel, the US Navy's Central Command said in a statement. statement, reported by CNN Aug. 31.

A US Navy coast patrol vessel USS Thunderbolt (PC-12) operating in the area, was deployed to the scene.

After Iran installed a rope to a maritime drone, US troops in the area communicated directly with Iran, saying they wanted the drone back, a US defense official said.

The US Navy patrol ship then moved closer to the maritime drone. At the same time, the US 5th Fleet launched the Sea Hawk MH-60S Helicopter from Bahrain, taking position aboard the drone.

After the US responded with the Sea Hawk coastal and helicopters, the Iranian ship cut the tow rope from the US drone, leaving the area four hours later, the release was clear.

The US Navy then continued operations 'without incident,' the release added.

Deputy Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Naval Central Command, US 5th Fleet and Joint Maritime Forces, called the IRGCN's actions "infuting, unwarranted and inconsistent with the behavior of professional maritime forces," in a statement about the incident.

"US naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, while promoting regulatory-based international order across the region," Cooper said in a statement.

Separately, General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla, commander of US Central Command who oversaw US military presence in the Middle East, reacted strongly, saying Iran's actions were illegal.

"Professionalism and crew competence USS Thunderbolt prevented Iran from this illegal act," Kurilla said in a statement.

"This incident once again shows Iran's continued destabilizing, illegal and unprofessional activity in the Middle East," he stressed.

The maritime drones that the IRGCN is trying to retrieve are "owned by the US Government and equipped with sensors, radar and cameras for navigation and data collection," the release said.

The drone "does not keep sensitive or confidential information," he added.