President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that he has instructed the US Navy to “shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats” that harass US ships.
“I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea,” Trump wrote.
Later on Wednesday senior Pentagon officials said the tweet was a lawful order though it did not mark a change in the rules of engagement.
“The President issued an important warning to the Iranians. What he was emphasizing is all of our ships retain the right of self-defense and people need to be very careful in their interactions to understand the inherent right of self-defense,” Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist told reporters at the Pentagon.
Gen. John Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military will “apply that clear direction from the commander in chief into lawful orders” adding that is clear to Iran that there is a line they cannot cross that would provoke a response.
“We don’t need any more direction in order to do that. I think the President’s message was crystal clear and we don’t need any more actions,” he added.
The tweet is the latest provocative threat Trump has levied against Tehran amid scrutiny of his handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and raises fears about the possibility of a miscalculation between the two longtime foes.
Tensions sharply escalated in January when the US killed Iran’s second most powerful official, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, and earlier this month, Trump, without citing any evidence, claimed that his administration had information that “Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on US troops and/or assets in Iraq.” He warned of a “heavy price” to pay if such acts were carried out.
Source: Trump on Twitter tells US Navy to ‘shoot down and destroy’ Iranian boats that harass US ships
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