A ‘3 Khordad’ system, which is said to had been used to shoot down a US military drone, according to IRINN, is being launched in this screen grab taken from an undated video.Photo: ReutersIran said Thursday it had recovered parts of a US spy drone in its territorial waters, after downing the aircraft in a missile strike slammed by president Donald Trump as a “big mistake.”
Under pressure to respond to the high-stakes incident in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where a series of tanker attacks have sent tensions soaring with Iran, Trump initially struck a combative tone.
“Iran made a very big mistake!” he tweeted in
response to news Iran had shot down the Global Hawk surveillance aircraft-which the Pentagon says was above international waters at the time.
“This country will not stand for it, that I can tell you,” he said later at the White House.
But as the overnight incident whipped up fears of open conflict between the United States and its declared foe Iran-sending crude oil prices up more than six percent-Trump moved swiftly to dial back tensions.
“I find it hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said. “I think that it could have been somebody who was loose and stupid that did it.”
The president’s mixed message left the world unsure what Washington’s next move would be.
“You will find out,” Trump said, when asked about possible retaliation.
In Tehran, however, the message came loud and clear.
Foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced late Thursday that parts of the drone had been recovered in Iranian territorial waters, as Tehran moved to bring the incident before the United Nations.
“We don’t seek war, but will zealously defend our skies, land & waters,” Zarif said.
