Iran: U.S. Navy again fired warning flares at vessels in Persian Gulf

July 29 (UPI) -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier fired warning flares at their vessels in the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC Navy said the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and another warship approached an oil and gas platform Friday in the Persian Gulf at about 4 p.m. before dispatching a helicopter and firing the warning flares. It was the second such encounter between the two nations this week.

Iranian forces ignored what the IRGC described as an "unprofessional and provocative" action from the U.S. vessels and continued their operations.

The Iranian Navy added IRGC forces pursued their mission and the American ships later left the area.

On Tuesday, a U.S. Navy ship fired warning shots at an armed Iranian patrol boat in the Persian Gulf.

IRGC's Third Naval District described the U.S. Navy's actions in that encounter as a "provocative move that was neutralized by IRGC forces."

Two U.S. Defense officials said the boat, believed to have been operated by the IRGC, approached the USS Thunderbolt. The Navy boat fired two warning shots into the water, fearing a collision with the Iranian patrol boat.