I want to appraise everyone of an incident in the Strait
of Hormuz today involving USS Boxer, a Navy
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.
The drone was immediately destroyed.
This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions
by Iran against vessels operating
in international waters.
The United States reserves the right
to defend our personnel, our facilities, and interests,
and calls upon all nations to condemn Iran's attempts
to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce.
I also call on other nations to protect their ships
as they go through the Strait and to work
with us in the future.
Thank you very much.
I thought you should know that.