President Trump announced that the USS Boxer has shot down an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening.

“USS Boxer took defensive action against an Iranian drone which was getting very close, approximately 1000 yards, ignoring multiple calls to stand down and threatening the safety of the ship and the ship’s crew. The drone was immediately destroyed,” Trump announced.

The president continued: “This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions against vessels operating in international waters. The United States deserves the right to defend its personnel, facilities, and interests.”

He also urged all countries to condemn Iran’s attempt to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce.

He concluded: “I also call on other nations to protect their ships as they go through the Strait (of Hormuz) and to work with us in the future.”

After the president’s announcement, the Pentagon issued a statement saying: “At approximately 10 a.m. local time, the amphibious ship USS Boxer was in international waters conducting a planned inbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz. A fixed-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) approached Boxer and closed within a threatening range. The ship took defensive action against the UAS to ensure the safety of the ship and its crew.”

On June 20, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down an American drone, which led to President Trump approving a military strike against Iranian targets, which he later canceled.