Trump: US warship destroyed Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has said that a US warship has destroyed an Islamic Republic drone near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said in Washington that the drone had endangered the safety of personnel aboard the USS Boxer.
US President Donald Trump said in Washington on Thursday, July 18, that a US warship had destroyed an Islamic Republic drone near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump added that this was the latest "hostile" action by Iran and that the Iranian drone had ignored warnings.
The US President announced this news while participating in a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the White House.
He called on other countries to condemn Iran's efforts to prevent freedom of navigation and free trade in the strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf.
Trump added that the USS Boxer's defensive action came after an Iranian drone came within 1,000 yards of the warship and ignored warnings. He said the drone "endangered the safety of the personnel of the USS Boxer."
The US President emphasized that the United States "reserves the right to defend its interests, forces, and equipment."
Meanwhile, the Pentagon also announced the news in a statement. The Pentagon statement said that the US Navy had shot down a drone.
According to Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman, the incident occurred on Thursday morning (local time).
Tensions between Iran and the United States, which have been simmering for months, have escalated in recent weeks. Iran shot down a US drone on Thursday, June 20.
The US claims that the drone never entered Iranian airspace and that the US drone was targeted and shot down while flying over international waters. Iran has said that the US drone entered Iranian airspace.
Donald Trump prevented retaliatory military operations at the last moment.
Source: DW
