The President’s continued issuing of orders to our military via tweet is a threat to our national security and, if followed without clear guidance and rules of engagement, will unnecessarily escalate tensions with Iran and possibly lead to all-out-conflict. (1/4) https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1252932181447630848

I have deployed to the Gulf on multiple ships and been personally involved in these at-sea interactions with the Iranians dozens of times. (2/4)

The Iranians routinely conduct harassing actions towards our ships and have done so for decades. We train for this and respond in a measured and responsible way to de-escalate these provocations. (3/4)

Moreover, if these are hollow threats, they weaken our stance and embolden Iran to continue to harass our forces unabated. Sometimes restraint is the greatest show of strength. (4/4)