Trump orders US to 'shoot down and destroy' Iranian boats 'harassing' US warships

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-iran-navy-twitter-shoot-destroy-us-ships-sea-tensions-a9478051.html

Chris RiottaNew York @chrisriotta
1 minute ago

Donald Trump said he instructed the Navy “to shoot down and destroy" Iranian gunboats if they “harass” US ships at sea following a tense encounter between US warships and Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in the Persian Gulf.

In a tweet posted on Wednesday morning, the president wrote: "I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea."

The apparent orders follow reports last week that Iranian fast boats were coming into close proximity with the US warships while conducting a drill near Kuwait.

The Navy later released video of the incident, which showed the Iranian boats nearing US vessels, with at least one pointing a deck-mounted machine gun towards the American boats.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seemed to blame the US, saying the close encounter was caused by “the unprofessional and provocative actions of the United States and their indifference to warnings”.

Link to tweet

</snip>

Someone should remind Spanky that you "shoot down" aircraft and you "sink" boats.

[jpak]

1. Boats fly?

[Poiuyt]

29. Supercar

[Laelth]

2. I don't recall Congress declaring war against Iran.

This “order” puts the navy in an impossible bind.

-Laelth

[CaptYossarian]

6. It would be easier to shoot down their submarines.

If they had any.

[Amishman]

17. not really, given the history of suicide boats in the area (USS Cole)

If they come close enough and are ignoring commands to turn away, this could be considered defensive action.

Not going to be a popular opinion on here, but with the Cole precedent it makes sense if they are being sufficiently aggressive, which from the descriptions its pretty close.

[Laelth]

21. I don't disagree.

I would merely prefer to have individual Captains make these decisions on a case-by-case basis (as opposed to an executive order compelling us to open fire on any aggressive Iranian vessel). If the President had not targeted Iran, specifically, I would be less concerned.

-Laelth

[BGBD]

27. nobody

disagrees with Navy ships defending themselves against threats. They also didn't need Trump to tweet an order to do so.

This is just something shiny to distract people.

[Laelth]

28. Let us hope. n/t

-Laelth

[Frustratedlady]

3. Still the little boy playing soldiers on his bedspread?

We need to get him out of the Oval. God help us!

[Guilded Lilly]

4. Flatline STUPID... Few words left. n/t

[Aviation Pro]

5. Looks like a flare up

...of Shitbag's head spur.

[brer cat]

15. Zing!

[sinkingfeeling]

7. But Russia can keep on intercepting USN planes?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200417-russia-fighter-jet-intercepts-us-plane-over-mediterranean-sea/amp/

[Igel]

12. If they just keep intercepting ours.

Protests are filed when they lock on radar.

Now, having Chinese run into a Vietnamese or Japanese boat ... Let them sink. (It's suspiciously like that Venezuelan incident a couple of weeks ago.)

[lagomorph777]

8. Also, you "sink" presidential campaigns by talking like an idiot.

[MyOwnPeace]

10. We can only hope..........

It didn't seem to have any effect in 2016 - enough were mesmerized by those beautiful red hats........

[ck4829]

23. Hopefully

[Dawgman49]

9. Doesn't the military have rules of engagement?

and how does the idiot define"harassment"?...so if they give us the finger...?...more distraction

[ck4829]

24. It should

[dweller]

11. Iranian gunboats

on flying carpets ?
🤔

✌🏼

[bluecollar2]

22. +100...n/t

[pwb]

13. The newest diversion from our high Covid19 death rates.

Goofy red governors , Immigration, now Iran? Anything to hide is grave mistake.

[dalton99a]

14. Another day, another shining object

to divert attention from his mass murder

[crickets]

30. +1

[lark]

16. Now he's trying to start a war to distract from the CV deaths that will have a huge spike soon.

He's ensuring there is a 2nd wave and thinks this might distract th base from the fact that they and their relatives are dying/ Stupid fucking murderous idiot is the worst thing that has happened to America in our entire history.

[DFW]

18. Just wait for next week

He'll give the order to sink any aircraft that paddle too close to our coastal installations.

[dalton99a]

19. +1

[ck4829]

20. Meanwhile...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213318426

[malaise]

25. In Iranian waters

Ah well those oil prices must go up by any means necessary

[Wednesdays]

26. That tail will be wagging the dog like mad by Election Day

Mark my words.