The crazies in Iran spent Tuesday poking the bear (Trump) with a stick – and not a very subtle stick. Spoiler: the U.S. Navy noticed. When an Iranian drone aggressively got a little too close to a U.S. aircraft carrier operating in international waters, it didn’t get a warning, a stern lecture, or a diplomatic memo. It got shot down [1] by an F-35 fighter jet launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln. No Americans (or equipment) were harmed.
But Tehran wasn’t content with just one stupid stunt. Iranian gunboats also tried to stop and board a U.S.-flagged oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz – one of the most strategically sensitive shipping lanes on Earth. The tanker kept moving with an escort from the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul with the help of the Air Force – and Iran’s maritime intimidation act abruptly ended without incident.
All of this unfolded as diplomatic talks with the United States are looming, planned for Friday. Nothing strengthens your negotiating position like buzzing aircraft carriers and harassing commercial shipping!
Iran appears to be flirting with escalation, baiting a reaction that could backfire spectacularly if Trump decides he’s had enough. So far, the Navy’s message has been clear: play stupid games, lose very expensive toys.