Iran releases footage of helicopter approaching USS EssexNovember 22, 2021 - 13:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian media on Monday, November 22 published video purporting to show a military helicopter come within yards of the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship sailing in the Gulf of Oman, Fox News reports. The Pentagon accused Iran of "unsafe and unprofessional" conduct after the naval helicopter got within 25 yards of the Essex and circled the ship three times. "Without getting into specifics, the crew of the Essex took the appropriate force protection measures they felt that they needed to, and they acted in accordance with international law," John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said. The incident occurred on Nov. 11. Kirby said there was no impact on the ship’s operations. The U.S. Naval Institute (USNI News) reported that the Essex is in the Persian Gulf carrying out training operations with the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier and flagship. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an after-hours email from Fox News. Stars and Stripes reported that the helicopter flew near the Essex’s port side and got "as low as about 10 feet off the surface of the ocean." "When you have another armed force — in this case, the Iranian navy — that flies like this, you definitely run the risk of some sort of escalation and a miscalculation on either side here, and that's not helpful," he said. "This one ended peacefully, but it doesn't mean it was safe and professional. It absolutely wasn't." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |