Iran is accusing the US Navy of carrying out "illegal and provocative acts" in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.

In identical letters to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council, Iran's UN ambassador Mohammad Khazaee said the Navy repeatedly violated the country's airspace.

He cited flights over the coastal areas of Bushehr on seven occasions in October and most recently a US drone flight on November 1 which disregarded all radio warnings and penetrated Iranian airspace.

The letters, circulated on Friday, urged Ban to warn the US "against the continuation of acts in violation of international law and of the adverse consequences of any provocative and dangerous acts for which the United States government would be held responsible."