. The Iranians were '' not provocative or threatening . As long as they are professional and not threatening or reckless , it 's international space , '' he said . Radar on the Eisenhower and other U.S. ships in the vicinity closely tracked the Iranian aircraft as it approached the aircraft carrier to ensure it maintained a nonthreatening path , Roughead said . A senior U.S. military official said the Iranian plane was tracked by U.S. units for nearly 100 miles before it reached the Eisenhower . The Iranian aircraft was a Fokker F27 that was unarmed , officials said . It remained in the vicinity of the Eisenhower for about 20 minutes before leaving the area , according to the senior official . The Eisenhower had just finished a series of carrier aircraft flight operations and a resupply at sea mission . U.S. officials believe the Iranians wanted a close look at the carrier , but they could not say if the Iranians took photos of the ship . One of the officials also said Iran may simply have been trying to demonstrate its aerial capabilities to the United States . U.S. military officials continue to emphasize that
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Iranian navy plane that approached a U.S. aircraft carrier last week was flying as low as 300 feet as it neared the USS Eisenhower , U.S. military officials said Wednesday . The incident , first reported by CNN on Tuesday , came as Iran was beginning a series of military exercises last week meant to show off their military prowess . The Eisenhower was on duty in the Gulf of Oman in the northern Arabian Sea , in support of the Afghanistan war efforts , when the Iranian maritime patrol aircraft flew within 1,000 yards of the vessel , according to military officials . While the encounter was not threatening , it was unusual . U.S. navy ships have regularly encountered Iranian aircraft in the Persian Gulf in recent years , but this encounter took place in the Gulf of Oman , in an area where Iranian jets are seen much less frequently , several Navy officials said . The officials declined to be identified , citing the extremely sensitive nature of any U.S. military interaction with Iranian forces . Adm. Gary Roughead , the top Navy officer , confirmed the April 21 incident