Iran's IRGC dismisses U.S. claims over Persian Gulf intimidation as "propaganda"

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) dismissed on Tuesday as a "propaganda campaign" U.S. claims that an IRGC vessel recently pointed its weapon at a U.S. helicopter in the Persian Gulf, reported Tasnim news agency.

The U.S. claims are part of its "propaganda campaign" against the Islamic republic, said the IRGC Navy in a statement on Tuesday.

"Some U.S. officials occasionally repeat such allegations. It shows that they are seeking certain goals beyond their propaganda campaign (against Iran). Therefore, we tell them with emphasis that 'stop the propaganda'," the statement said.

On Monday, two U.S. defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that an IRGC patrol vessel on Saturday pointed its weapon at its helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter.

They claimed the incident took place as a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter flew within half a mile of two Iranian vessels in international waters.

It is no secret to anyone that the main problem is the presence of the U.S. military forces in the Persian Gulf, said the IRGC, adding that via "inappropriate" and "unprofessional" behaviors, Americans are attempting to insinuate that regional security is abnormal.

The IRGC said that Iranian military forces, regardless of the "enemies' propaganda," will continue monitoring movements in the gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to protect maritime routes and establish regional security. Endit