This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, the US military shot down an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global commerce.
According to President Donald Trump, the USS Boxer took defensive action against the Iranian drone after it came within 1,000 yards of the naval vessel.
"The drone was immediately destroyed," Trump said in a statement at the White House.
The downing of the drone comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Iran, which has been subject to a series of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
"This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran against vessels operating in international waters," Trump said.
He called on other nations to condemn Iran's actions and to protect their ships as they pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
