Downing of US Drone Puts Donald Trump In Tough Spot

BY ARUL LOUIS

Tensions between the US and Iran escalated to new levels after Tehran shot down an American drone on Thursday and pressure grew for retaliation by Washington testing US President’s assertions that he wanted to avoid a war. Trump told reporters: “Iran made a big mistake. This drone was in international waters, clearly. We have it all documented scientifically not just words. And they made a very bad mistake”. Asked how the US would respond, Trump said: “You’ll find out”.

At the same time, reflecting his reluctance for a war, Trump left room for a compromise hinting that the Iranian leadership was not behind it. “I imagine someone made a mistake,” he said and added that he thought it was someone “loose and stupid who did it.” Trump has said in the past that he does not want to go to war with Iran. He has generally opposed US military entanglements abroad and has sought to get out of Afghanistan and Syria. Contradicting Trump, Tehran asserted that the drone was in Iranian territory when it was brought down.

IRGC chief said: “The downing of the American drone was a clear message to America... Our borders are our red line and we will react strongly against any aggression”. But he also said that Iran did not want a war. The escalation comes in the wake of the attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz last week that the US said was carried out by Iran. (IANS)

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