The Iranian Navy is assisting a U.S. ship attacked by pirates in the Persian Gulf

The Iranian navy has helped a U.S. flagged vessel was attacked by pirates off the UAE, says the owner Maersk Line Ltd..

The Iranian Navy was the first to respond to the first distress call by Maersk Texas. The ship was attacked by several skiffs and armed guards on board the ship returned fire, the company said in a statement.

The incident occurred around noon, northeast of Fujairah. The Iranian Navy has given instructions to the crew by radio. The company declined to give further details.

For the European force Atalanta, who reviewed the incident, it is not a case of piracy, but a false alarm.

According to the captain of the merchant vessel, board the guards exchanged fire with a skiff located in a group of about 20 boats.