Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate after Iranian Revolutionary Guard Qassem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike in January. Earlier this month, the U.S. military said 11 vessels from the IRGCN came close to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, calling the moves “dangerous and provocative.” On April 22, President Donald Trump posted on his official Twitter account that:” I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.” In his speech at the White House, Trump interpreted Iran's actions as a threat to the United States.

“The president issued an important warning to the Iranians, what he was emphasising is all of our ships retain the right of self-defence,” Deputy Secretary of Defence David Norquist told reporters at the Pentagon.

Following Trump's tweet, an Iranian armed forces spokesman said the US should focus on saving its military from the coronavirus. “Today, instead of bullying others, the Americans should put all their efforts toward saving those members of their forces who are infected with coronavirus,” Abolfazl Shekarchi said, according to Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency.