Iranian drone over USS Eisenhower being looked into by Pentagon
2 Min Read
Pentagon Press Secretary confirms that the incident is being investigated but as of now, there are no givens to pass along.
-
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and other warships cross the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP)
During a briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder confirmed on Tuesday that the United States is investigating an overflight of an Iranian drone near the USS Dwight Eisenhower which was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
"Yeah, I'm aware of those reports. We're looking into that, and so don't have anything to pass along now, but if we do, we certainly will let you know," Ryder said after the Iranian army posted footage of the overflight.
Citing a US official, Fox News reported that an Iranian drone flew near the US aircraft carrier in the Gulf. The drone allegedly flew near the vessel in international waters and ignored multiple warnings.
The Iranian army unveiled on Tuesday footage depicting the surveillance and monitoring of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its accompanying vessels using drones as they were transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
Read more: Pentagon admits it has no funds left for Middle East buildup
The event happened on November 26, 2023, as indicated in the footage divulged by Tasnim News Agency.
The #Iranian army published footage of its drones surveilling #US vessels entering the #Gulf. https://t.co/vplqhWUyUQ
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 28, 2023
The aircraft carrier was forced to change its course and land its helicopters after receiving a direct warning from Iranian naval forces, according to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps's Navy commander General Alireza Tangsiri on Monday.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that it passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf waters, adding that it would carry out patrols to "ensure freedom of navigation" along key international waterways, as well as support "CENTCOM requirements throughout the region."
On Nov. 26, the Carrier Strike Group Eisenhower (IKECSG) completed a transit of the Strait of Hormuz to enter the waters of the Arabian Gulf as the Strike Group continues to support USCENTCOM missions.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 26, 2023
While in the Arabian Gulf, the IKECSG are patrolling to ensure freedom of… pic.twitter.com/0GzRZQ7awM
Brigadier General Tangsiri revealed that the navy dispatched drones to the American warship when it encountered the military vessels of the IRGC, forcing the US vessel to head toward the south of the Gulf "in compliance with our instructions" after forcing it to land its helicopters.
