Iranian Drone Flies Within 100 Ft. Of A U.S Navy F/A-18E Over The USS Carrier Nimitz In The Persian Gulf

An F/A-18E Super Hornet had to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with an Iranian drone Tuesday. (MC3 Paul Kelly/Navy)

CNN: First on CNN: Iranian drone forces US jet to take evasive action

(CNN)An Iranian drone came within 100 feet of a US Navy F/A-18 attempting to land on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, according to two US defense officials with knowledge of the incident. The officials said the drone forced the US aircraft to take evasive action.

The "QOM-1" drone came within 100 feet below the aircraft and 200 feet to the side of the aircraft. The F/A-18 was in a landing pattern several thousand feet off the deck of the ship waiting to land.

The F/A-18 maneuvered repeatedly to avoid the drone officials said and it did not appear to be armed.

The officials said the drone encounter was considered "unsafe and unprofessional."

The US used an emergency radio frequency in the immediate area to warn those operating the drone to back away. It did eventually move off.

US Naval Forces Central Command issued a

statement later Tuesday confirming the incident.

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More News On Reports That An Iranian Drone Flew Within 100 Ft. Of A U.S Navy F/A-18E Over The USS Carrier Nimitz In The Persian Gulf

UPDATED: Iranian Drone Harasses F/A-18E Super Hornet Preparing to Land on USS Nimitz -- USNI News
Super Hornet, Iranian drone nearly collide over carrier Nimitz -- Navy Times
Iranian drone comes close to U.S. fighter jet: U.S. official -- Reuters
Iranian drone comes within 100 feet of US Navy jet -- The Hill
U.S. Jet Takes Evasive Action After Close Call With Iranian Drone -- NBC
Iranian drone makes "dangerous maneuver" close to U.S. fighter jet -- CBS
Iranian drone comes within 100 feet of US fighter jet in Persian Gulf -- ABC News
Iranian drone buzzes US Navy jet in Persian Gulf – Pentagon -- Newsline
Iranian drone buzzes F/A-18 Super Hornet during carrier landing -- Washington Times
U.S. fighter jet avoids collision with Iranian drone -- UPI