US shoots down Iranian drone

President Donald Trump announced that the USS Boxer had shot down an Iranian drone in self-defense. Photo: AFP

President Donald Trump said the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer shot down an Iranian drone after it threatened the safety of the ship and its crew.

“The Boxer amphibious assault ship took defensive action against an Iranian drone after it came within 1 kilometer of the target. The Iranian drone ignored repeated warnings to stay away and threatened the safety of the ship and its crew. The drone was immediately destroyed,” Trump said.

President Trump also condemned Iran's recent actions and called on countries to cooperate with the US to ensure the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is one of Iran’s recent provocative and hostile actions against vessels operating in international waters. The United States reserves the right to defend our personnel, facilities, and interests, and calls on all nations to condemn Iran’s efforts to disrupt freedom of navigation and international commerce. I also call on other nations to protect their own vessels when transiting the Strait of Hormuz and to cooperate with the United States in the future,” President Donald Trump said.

The incident occurred as the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes. It is also where the US accused Iran of shooting down a US surveillance drone last month. The US has also blamed Iran for attacks on two commercial ships in the Gulf of Oman last month. US officials have called on allies to join a maritime security initiative to protect the Strait of Hormuz following the attacks.