Trump says US downed Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. has destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the unmanned air vehicle threatened an American Navy ship, President Donald Trump said on Thursday.

The Iranian unmanned plane was shot down by the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship.

"The Boxer took defensive action against an Iranian drone which had closed into a very, very near-distance, approximately 1,000 yards, ignoring multiple calls to stand down, and was threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew," Trump said at the White House.

"The drone was immediately destroyed," he added.

Tensions in the strait have flared in recent months following Trump's decision to reimpose sanctions on Iranian crude oil exports that were lifted as part of a 2015 nuclear accord between Tehran and world powers.

Trump unilaterally exited the U.S. from the agreement in May 2018, calling on other parties to similar withdraw from the agreement.