By — Deb Riechmann, Associated Press Deb Riechmann, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/trump-says-iran-made-big-mistake-in-downing-u-s-drone Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump suggests Iran’s shootdown of drone was accidental World Updated on Jun 20, 2019 1:08 PM EDT — Published on Jun 20, 2019 11:32 AM EDT WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared Thursday that “Iran made a very big mistake” in shooting down a U.S. drone but suggested it was an accident rather than a strategic error. Asked about a U.S. response, he said repeatedly, “You’ll find out.” A few minutes earlier, a senior U.S. military officer said Iran shot down the huge, unmanned American aircraft over international waters in an attempt to disrupt U.S. efforts to monitor the Persian Gulf area where Trump has blamed Iran for attacking shipping vessels. But Trump said he could not imagine the missile attack on the drone was intentional and he had a feeling “a general or somebody” mistakenly ordered the attack. Some members of Congress expressed alarm at the possibility of open conflict in the Middle East, especially after Trump’s morning tweet that said only, “Iran made a very big mistake.” But when asked about it later, he merely described the incident as a “new wrinkle” in escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran — a “fly in the ointment.” Still he said the U.S. “will not stand for it.” At a White House news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Donald Trump touted the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, and also addressed Iran’s downing of a U.S. drone, saying the country “made a big mistake.” Shortly before Trump spoke, at a photo opportunity with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, commander of U.S. Central Command air forces in the region, took a different tack from Trump’s idea of an accidental shootdown. “This attack is an attempt to disrupt our ability to monitor the area following recent threats to international shipping and free flow of commerce,” he said. READ MORE: Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down U.S. drone amid tensions We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Deb Riechmann, Associated Press Deb Riechmann, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared Thursday that “Iran made a very big mistake” in shooting down a U.S. drone but suggested it was an accident rather than a strategic error. Asked about a U.S. response, he said repeatedly, “You’ll find out.” A few minutes earlier, a senior U.S. military officer said Iran shot down the huge, unmanned American aircraft over international waters in an attempt to disrupt U.S. efforts to monitor the Persian Gulf area where Trump has blamed Iran for attacking shipping vessels. But Trump said he could not imagine the missile attack on the drone was intentional and he had a feeling “a general or somebody” mistakenly ordered the attack. Some members of Congress expressed alarm at the possibility of open conflict in the Middle East, especially after Trump’s morning tweet that said only, “Iran made a very big mistake.” But when asked about it later, he merely described the incident as a “new wrinkle” in escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran — a “fly in the ointment.” Still he said the U.S. “will not stand for it.” At a White House news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Donald Trump touted the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, and also addressed Iran’s downing of a U.S. drone, saying the country “made a big mistake.” Shortly before Trump spoke, at a photo opportunity with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, commander of U.S. Central Command air forces in the region, took a different tack from Trump’s idea of an accidental shootdown. “This attack is an attempt to disrupt our ability to monitor the area following recent threats to international shipping and free flow of commerce,” he said. READ MORE: Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down U.S. drone amid tensions We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now