Speaking from the White House Thursday afternoon, President Trump announced the United States shot down an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after it approached the USS Boxer carrying 2,000 Marines. The USS Boxer is an amphibious assault ship.
"The Boxer took defense action against the drone which had closed into a very close distance, approximately a thousand yards, ignoring multiple calls to stand down and was threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew. The drone was immediately destroyed," Trump said from the East Room. "This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran against vessels operating in international waters. The United States reserves the right to defend our personnel, facilities, and interests, and calls upon all nations to condemn Iran's attempt to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce. I also call on other nations to protect their ships as they go through the Strait of Hormuz and to work with us in the future."
Earlier today Iran admitted to illegally capturing a foreign ship carrying twelve crew members. Originally the Iranians denied seizing the ship and claimed they were helping the vessel, which was in distress.
It also comes a month after Iran shot down a $110 million U.S. Navy surveillance drone flying in international waters over the Strait of Hormuz. At the time, President Trump showed restraint.
Iranian reports that the aircraft was over Iran are false.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 20, 2019
This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset in international airspace. "
- Attributable to Navy Capt. Bill Urban, U.S. Central Command spokesman