Joe Biden on Thursday called Iran’s overnight shoot-down of an American drone “a self-inflicted disaster” by President Trump, ratcheting up the Democratic front-runner’s criticism of the incumbent on foreign policy issues.
Biden, a former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, lacerated Trump for his approach to Iran, including tearing up its nuclear deal with the United States.
“President Trump’s Iran strategy is a self-inflicted disaster,” the former vice president said. “Two of America’s vital interests in the Middle East are preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and securing a stable energy supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump is failing on both counts.”
On Wednesday night, the country’s Revolutionary Guard shot down an American drone operating in international airspace.
“This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset in international airspace,” U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said.
Biden criticized the Iranian regime for human rights abuses and for “support[ing] terrorist activities throughout the region,” but put the blame squarely on Trump for his lack of “presidential leadership.”
“By walking away from diplomacy, Trump has made military conflict more likely. Another war in the Middle East is the last thing we need,” Biden said.
Trump’s campaign quickly fire back at Biden, tweeting, “Iran shoots down an American drone in international airspace, and Joe Biden’s response is to attack President Trump? What is his solution? Send Iran more pallets of cash? Let Iran take more U.S. sailors hostage? More coddling?”
Iran shoots down an American drone in international airspace, and Joe Biden’s response is to attack President Trump?
What is his solution?
Send Iran more pallets of cash?
Let Iran take more U.S. sailors hostage?
More coddling?
— Official Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) June 20, 2019
