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We will destroy any Iranian drones that fly ‘too close’ to our ships, US says
- Iran dismissed Trump’s assertion that the US Navy destroyed one of its drones
- Washington has evidence that it shot down a drone on Thursday, a senior official said
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The United States will destroy any Iranian drones that fly “too close” to its ships in the Strait of Hormuz and has evidence that it shot down a drone on Thursday, a senior Trump administration official said on Friday.
Iran dismissed President Donald Trump’s assertion that the US Navy destroyed one of its drones. Tehran said all of its unmanned planes were accounted for, amid growing international concern that both sides could blunder into a war in the Gulf.
“If they fly too close to our ships, they’ll continue to be shot down,” the Trump administration official said, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity.
The official said “we have very clear evidence” that US Navy warship Boxer shot down an Iranian drone. “We’re confident,” the official said.
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A video of the incident could be released by the Pentagon, the official said.
The official also dismissed an offer made by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that Iran could immediately ratify a document prescribing more intrusive inspections of its nuclear programme if the US abandoned its economic sanctions on Tehran.
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