In a tweet that came without context today, Donald Trump threatened to “shoot down” Iranian gunboats.
It’s hard to know what sparked this tweet today, but Politico reports, “Trump’s tweet comes one week after the Navy announced that 11 Iranian vessels had conducted “dangerous and harassing” approaches of U.S. ships in the international waters of the northern Persian Gulf, coming as close as 10 yards to a Coast Guard cutter.” It also reportedly came after one of Trump’s favorite networks featured this segment.
While there is reportedly no response from the Navy yet, Reuters reported on the response from Iran:
The United States should focus on saving its military from the coronavirus, an Iranian armed forces spokesman said on Wednesday after Trump’s comments.
“Today, instead of bullying others, the Americans should put all their efforts toward saving those members of their forces who are infected with coronavirus,” Abolfazl Shekarchi said, according to the ISNA news agency.
But the Twittersphere can’t help but question something else about Trump’s tweet. Since when can you shoot down a boat?
Trump is giving the order to shoot down boats.
I didn't realize Iran had flying boats now.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) April 22, 2020
When the U.S. Navy is done shooting down boats, will it have time to shoot down the flocks of coronavirus?
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) April 22, 2020