This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, ordering the US military to attack and destroy any Iranian vessel that harasses US Navy ships.
On April 15, 11 small armed Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps speedboats swarmed around six US Navy and Coast Guard ships in international waters in the northern Gulf, coming as close as 10 yards (nine meters) to the bow of one ship.
According to the Pentagon, the Iranians engaged in 'dangerous and provocative actions' that risked collision or worse, repeatedly crossing the bows and sterns of the US vessels at extremely close range and high speeds.
US Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist called Trump's tweet 'an important warning to the Iranians,' while General John Hyten, vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that US ships retain the right of self-defense.
'What the president says sends a great message to Iran,' Hyten said, adding that US rules of engagement are based on the inherent right of self-defense, hostile intent, and hostile act.
Trump's order came in response to the April 15 incident, which saw the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boats ignore warnings from the US ships for about an hour before finally responding to radio communications and then leaving.
