'Latest hostile action': US warship shoots down Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz
Updated
United States President Donald Trump says a US warship has destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz, after the aircraft threatened the ship by flying within 900 metres of it.
Key points:
- The Pentagon said in a statement that the incident took place about 10:00am local time
- Mr Trump has called on other countries to condemn Iran and protect their own ships
- Iran declared late yesterday it had seized a Norwegian oil tanker in the Persian Gulf
He said the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, took “defensive action” when the drone ignored “multiple calls to stand down and was threatening the safety of the ship and the ship’s crew”.
“The drone was immediately destroyed,” Mr Trump said.
“This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran against vessels operating in international waters.”
The Pentagon said in a statement that the incident took place about 10 am local time as the Boxer was transiting into the Strait of Hormuz.
“A fixed wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) approached Boxer and closed within a threatening range,” Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement, which did not say to whom the drone belonged.
“The ship took defensive action against the UAS to ensure the safety of the ship and its crew.”
Mr Trump has called on other countries to condemn Iran and protect their own ships.
It comes amid rising tensions in the region, after Iran declared late yesterday it had seized a Norwegian oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.
More to come.
Topics:
navy,
First posted