NEW: Trump Instructs Navy to Shoot Down Iranian Gunboats - If They "Harass" U.S. Ships

NEW: Trump Instructs Navy to Shoot Down Iranian Gunboats - If They "Harass" U.S. Ships

United States President Donald Trump said that he has instructed the Navy to take action against Iran if the U.S. is "harassed."

"I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea," Tweeted Trump Wednesday morning. 

CNBC reports:

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"The threat comes days after the Pentagon claimed that ships from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy took “dangerous and provocative” actions near U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf. 

Six U.S. military vessels were conducting training operations in international waters last week when 11 Iranian ships “crossed the bows and sterns of the U.S. vessels at extremely close range and high speeds,” according to the April 15 U.S. Navy statement. 

At one point, the Iranian ships came within 10 yards of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Maui’s bow."