TEHRAN - A rocket-bearing Iranian military vessel confronted a U.S. battleship in the Persian Gulf and warned it to stay away from a damaged Iranian fishing boat, the Tasnim news agency reported Sunday.

The U.S. battleship turned away after the warning from the Iranian vessel, which belonged to the naval branch of the Iranian army.

The Iranian military vessel then towed the fishing boat, which had sent out a distress signal after taking on water, back to shore.

The incident took place close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

PA/PA