There have been such large amounts of Iranian drones performing surveillance on US ships that it has become a “normal welcome”.
In response to the increase in surveillance, US Navy ship commanders have had to start monitoring air traffic more often and have had to maintain layered defences.
US Navy Captain Jack Killman explained the drones have become a “routine sight” and it has forced the vessels stationed in the Gulf to change their operations.
He said: “We did go to the Persian Gulf.
“We got the normal welcome from the Iranians: UAV overflights, exactly as we trained for.
“No surprises there.”
Mr Killman commands the USS Iwo Jima and entered the Gulf with two Raleigh Burke-class ships last June.
The Iwo Jima’s guided-missile sensors are able to detect UAV’s and small boat traffic, the captain explained.
He added the weapons also provide layered support.
The issue he explained, was when it came to trying to track smaller drones and trying to determine if they are armed or not.
While Mr Killman said the Iwo Jima has the “capability” to defend itself in the event of drone and patrol boat attacks, he said they are facing a “capacity issue”.
Due to a shortage of support ships operating in the area, it makes the possibility of defending themselves from drone attacks much more challenging.
However, Iran has attacked the US for their actions in the Middle East and threatened to do everything necessary to protect themselves.
Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said: “In the Persian Gulf, the IRGC Navy and in the Sea of Oman, the naval forces of the Army are prepared to defend the waters with their intelligence dominance and monitoring of the enemy’s physical presence.
“The enemy is using the ploy of Iranian threats to have a presence in the region and sell arms.
“Their presence in the region is detrimental to security and does not bring about any security.”
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have skyrocketed since President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal in May.
Since the US’s withdrawal, they have implemented new sections against Iran that have devastated the Iranian economy.
Iran’s oil production has also slowed to a crawl which caused Iran to warn that without Iranian oil, it will harm the global economy.
The US is expected to implement more sanctions against Iran on November 4.