An Iranian army helicopter flew over the USS Fitzgerald at about 10:00 am (0630 GMT) after the vessel "attempted to approach the waters under the supervision" of Iran, the broadcaster said.

The destroyer issued threats of its own, state TV said, adding however that "the Iranian pilot firmly continued the mission and reiterated the warning to stay away from Iranian waters".

Iranian forces then urged the US ship to "alter its course southward", forcing it to "give in" and turn away.

There was no immediate comment from the US Navy.

Iranian forces have a history of confronting US forces in the Gulf.

In 2023, Tehran said it forced a US submarine to surface while crossing the strategic Strait of Hormuz -- a claim Washington denied.

The latest confrontation comes after US strikes on June 22 targeted Iran's nuclear sites during a 12-day war with Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the damage was "serious and severe" but insisted uranium enrichment would continue.