NORFOLK, Va. — Tensions are rising once again in the Persian Gulf region following provocative actions by the Iranian Navy, followed Wednesday by a Tweet from President Donald J.Trump.
Iranian naval vessels repeatedly conducted "dangerous and harassing approaches" toward US Navy warships in the North Arabian Sea in recent days.
That apparently provoked the President to tweet this morning: "I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea."
"The President made a clear statement," said General John Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "I think the Iranians understand that. I think the American people understand that. Now, we as a military have to translate that into lawful orders that we execute. And we know what that means. If you ride by and wave, that's one thing. If you have a gun and you point it at me, that's another thing."
Former Navy Captain Joe Bouchard was commanding officer of a guided-missile destroyer. He says the tweet doesn't really change anything.
"My initial reaction to Trump's tweet is, it re-enforces what the rules of engagement already allow," he said. "It does not eliminate the judgment call that a commander has to make to determine whether or not he's threatened."
But, Virginia Second District Representative and House Armed Services Committee member Elaine Luria has concerns.
In a statement, the Naval Academy graduate said: "The President's continued issuing of orders to our military via tweet is a threat to our national security and, if followed without clear guidance and rules of engagement, will unnecessarily escalate tensions with Iran and possibly lead to all-out-conflict."