Pentagon rejects Iranian claims of 'intercept' against US Navy vessels

The Pentagon says no intercept occurred and no US helicopters were forced to land

The Iranian navy released footage purporting to show fast attack craft harassing U.S. Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, but the U.S. Defense Department says no such intercept occurred and the Iranian claim is "untrue."

Iranian media first posted the Iranian navy's footage on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. They claimed the heavily-edited footage showed fast attack vessels "intercepting" the USS Bataan and USS Thomas Hudner on August 17.

"That report is not true. So I don't know where that's coming from, but we've seen this from them before pushing out, I don't know if it's propaganda, but I would say untrue statements, and that just is not accurate," Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Another DOD official emphasized that the U.S. Navy ships remain in international waters at all times.

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pentagon rejects iranian claims of intercept against us navy vessels

The Iranian navy released footage purporting to show fast attack craft harassing U.S. Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, but the U.S. Defense Department says no such incident occurred and the heavily-edited footage is propaganda. (U.S. Navy Central Command)

"The U.S. will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," the official said.

Iranian media also claimed the swarm of boats forced multiple helicopters to land back on the U.S. warships, another claim the Pentagon denies.

"No U.S. helicopter returned early to deck" because of the IRGC Navy threats, U.S. 5th Fleet Spokesperson Commander Rick Chernitze told Fox News Digital.

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pentagon rejects iranian claims of intercept against us navy vessels

Iran has repeatedly released edited footage of its prior naval operations in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's navy has frequently harassed U.S. vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past 12 months. A similar incident in June saw U.S. and U.K. warships chase away Iranian vessels that were hounding a merchant ship.

The U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul and the U.K. Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster responded to scene, with the HMS Lancaster deploying a helicopter as well.

pentagon rejects iranian claims of intercept against us navy vessels

Iran's navy has frequently harassed U.S. vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past 12 months. (Iranian Army / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"The situation deescalated approximately an hour later when the merchant vessel confirmed the fast-attack craft departed the scene," the U.S. Navy said at the time. "The merchant ship continued transiting the Strait of Hormuz without further incident.:

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

Authored by Anders Hagstrom,Liz Friden,Jennifer Griffin via FoxNews August 21st 2023