The destroyer Fitzgerald had a "safe and professional interaction" with an Iranian helicopter while operating in international waters, the official said.
Controllers lost contact on May 1 because a temporary control tower antenna had not been set up at the correct location, Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman told AP.
The CH-53 Super Stallion crashed Feb. 6, 2024, during a night flight when it hit a mountain near Pine Valley, California, killing all five Marines aboard.