A U.S. Navy warship shot down an Iranian drone over the Straits of Hormuz today after issuing multiple warnings to retreat.
NEW – U.S. Navy USS Boxer shot down an #Iran drone over the Straits of #Hormuz today, after issuing multiple warnings to retreat. pic.twitter.com/DMbdQ8XYDI
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) July 18, 2019
During a press conference addressing the situation, President Trump said that a U.S. Navy warship destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz, amid heightened tensions between the two countries
Trump said that the Iranian drone‘s actions were “the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran”
MORE: Trump said that the Iranian drone's actions were “the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran” pic.twitter.com/1mhzVOIR67
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) July 18, 2019
AP reports – President Donald Trump says a U.S. warship destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
Trump says it’s the latest “hostile” action by Iran. He’s calling on other countries to condemn what he says are Iran’s attempts to disrupt the freedom of navigation and global commerce in the strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf region.
Trump says the USS Boxer took defensive action after the drone closed to within 1,000 yards of the warship and ignored multiple calls to stand down.
The president says the drone threatened the safety of the American ship and its crew.
On June 20, Iran shot down a U.S. drone. The Iranian military posted a video bragging about the drone strike set to music on social media.
USA Today – Iran said the drone was destroyed over its coast and said the incident sent a “clear message” that the Persian Gulf nation was ready to defend itself from what it views as Western aggression. The Pentagon, however, said the incident played out in international waters over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump told reporters he found it “hard to believe” that the drone was shot down intentionally, saying more likely a lower-level officer was responsible without approval of superiors.
“Iran made a very big mistake,” President Trump said, adding that “you’ll soon find out” if the U.S. will retaliate.