The US shoots down an Iranian drone, and Trump draws a red line

Lamenting Iran's escalation, we should be glad the USS Boxer-led Amphibious Ready Group downed an Iranian drone on Thursday. That drone came within one kilometer of the Boxer before being destroyed.

This U.S. action should not be seen as retaliation for Iran's downing of a U.S. drone in June, but rather as an act of self-defense.

It is justified for two reasons.

First, because Iran uses armed drones as a keystone element of its four-pronged war-fighting strategy for the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman (the other three elements being anti-ship missiles, mines, and fast attack boats). Second, because Iran conducted this operation to test U.S. resolve in face of overt threats to American personnel.

While it's not yet clear which type of drone was involved here, it was likely a Shahed 129 type drone. Armable with bombs, and possibly unguided rockets, Iran has previously used this platform to threaten American forces in the region. Regardless, while not nearly as advanced as U.S. military and intelligence drones, Iranian drones can threaten American personnel.