"What you saw yesterday was U.S. destroyers moving through international waters, being fired upon by the Iranians, and the U.S. responded defensively to protect itself, Rubio told reporters, adding: That's what you saw. I mean, that's separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury. If you fire a drone or a missile at our destroyer, what are we supposed to do, let it hit? We have to respond to it. We have to knock down the missile, and we have to knock out whatever it is that launched that missile. The alternative is to let it sink one of our ships. That's crazy. So, of course, we responded to it."
"A reporter pushed back, Well, yes, but the point is if there's not much ceasing in the firing, because we've Well, you should ask that of the Iranians, shot back Rubio, cutting off the reporter. Don't ask mewe didn't fire, they fired on us. My point is, if you fire at a U.S. Navy ship, what are we supposed to do? Say, Oh, there's a ceasefire, we're not going to shoot down your drone?' That's a stupid question. That's a stupid position to take. Of course, we fired back at them; they were shooting at us. That's what I would expect to do. Only stupid countries don't shoot back when you're shot at, and we're not a stupid country, Rubio sharply concluded."
"President Donald Trump tells me in a phone call the retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets are just a love tap. It's just a love tap. When I asked if the it means to ceasefire is over. No, no, the ceasefire is going. It's in effect."
U.S. officials said Iranian fire on U.S. destroyers in international waters required defensive action. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that if a drone or missile is fired at a U.S. ship, the U.S. must respond by knocking down the missile and targeting what launched it. He rejected the idea that ceasefire terms should prevent defensive responses, arguing that firing on U.S. Navy vessels demands retaliation. Rubio said the U.S. responded because it was shot at, not because it sought to violate ceasefire arrangements. President Donald Trump characterized retaliatory strikes as limited, while stating the ceasefire remained in effect.
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