The US military is warning Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against the further targeting with lasers of US aircraft.

In late September, Iranian naval forces repeatedly aimed a laser at a US military helicopter during a routine flight in international airspace over the Gulf, the US Navy said.

The helicopter -- an AH-1Z Viper -- is attached to a unit deployed on the USS Bataan (LHD 50) amphibious assault ship, which was sent to the region as part of US efforts to deter seizures of commercial tanker ships by Tehran.

The AH-1Z Viper, a twin engine attack helicopter designed for the US Marine Corps, plays key roles in close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed and visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination.

"[IRGC Navy (IRGCN)] vessels shone a laser multiple times at the aircraft while in flight," said US Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Cmdr. Rick Chernitzer. “Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the aircraft was not damaged.”

"These are not the actions of a professional maritime force," he added.

"This unsafe, unprofessional, and irresponsible behavior by the [IRGCN] risks US and partner nation lives and needs to cease immediately," said Chernitzer.

"US naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows while promoting regional maritime security."

Iran has previously used lasers in such a manner.

An Iranian naval patrol boat in 2017 used lasers against a Marine CH-53E helicopter moving through the Strait of Hormuz with three US vessels, CNN reported at the time.

Stabilizing force

The US military remains ready to respond to any threat to international security in the Middle East, particularly as Iran continues to carry out aggressive, adversarial and deliberately provocative actions in international waters.

Following the uptick in Iranian aggression against merchant vessels, the US military in May increased the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.

Among the many deployments to the region to ensure security, in August more than 3,000 US sailors and Marines of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the Middle East as part of a pre-announced US Department of Defense deployment.

Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) entered the Red Sea on August 6 after transiting from the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.

Bataan ARG/26th MEU units bring to the region additional aviation and naval assets, as well as more US Marines and sailors, providing greater flexibility and maritime capability to the US 5th Fleet, NAVCENT said.

The deployment adds to efforts "to deter destabilizing activity and de-escalate regional tensions caused by Iran's harassment and seizures of merchant vessels," 5th Fleet spokesman Commander Tim Hawkins told AFP in August.

The US military says Iran has either seized or attempted to take control of almost 20 internationally flagged ships in the region over the past two years.

Iran the destabilizer

In June, Iran announced its intention to form a naval alliance in the Gulf, with Iranian navy commander Adm. Shahram Irani claiming the new military formation would protect navigation in regional waters.

But the proposal is failing to find traction with countries in the region, as observers say the idea is based upon "lending legitimacy" to Iran's continuing campaign of fomenting instability and inflicting aggression.

Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes, raise doubts about the regime's sincerity in guaranteeing security in the region.

Attempts to attack unarmed civilian vessels run contrary to Tehran's claims that it seeks peace and security in the region, as these challenge the safety and security of all merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, US officials have said.

"It defies reason that Iran, the number one cause of regional instability, claims it wants to form a naval security alliance to protect the very waters it threatens," said Hawkins of the US Navy, speaking for the multinational naval partnership Combined Maritime Forces.