Iranian state media said the “spy” drone was brought down over the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, which is on the Gulf, with a locally made 3 Khordad missile. Wit tensions mounting between Iran and the US, House and Senate leaders and Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees were invited to meet with President Trump in the White House’s secure Situation Room. Others who attending included CIA Director Gina Haspel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Army Secretary Mark Esper, the man Mr Trump says he will appoint to Mr Shanahan’s position in a permanent capacity.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, later told Fox News that “we had a good briefing” and that the Trump administration would engage in “measured responses”.
Mr McConnell confirmed the US was adamant the drone was operating in international airspace, contradicting Iranian claims that it had “violated” Iranian airspace.
In a statement, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Ranking Members Michael McCaul of Texas (House Foreign Affairs), Devin Nunes of California (House Intelligence), and Mac Thornberry of Texas (House Armed Services) all demanded “measured” retaliation.
They wrote: “Iran directly attacked a United States asset over international waters.
“This provocation comes a week after they attacked and destroyed two commercial tankers in international waters. There must be a measured response to these actions.
“President Trump and his national security team remain clear-eyed on the situation and what must be done in response to increased Iranian aggression. “
Ms Pelosi issued a separate statement after the briefing calling for calm.
She said: “In light of the targeting of an unmanned US drone by Iran, it is essential that we remain fully engaged with our allies, recognise that we are not dealing with a responsible adversary and do everything in our power to de-escalate.
“This is a dangerous, high-tension situation that requires a strong, smart and strategic, not reckless, approach.
“We make it very clear that to get involved in any military activities, we must have a new Authorisation for Use of Military Force (AUMF).”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he told the President during the briefing that there should be a “robust, open debate,” and that Congress should “have a real say.”
He said he was worried the administration “may bumble into a war.”
Mr Schumer added: “We have an amendment supported by every Democrat to the NDAA in the Senate, led by Senator Udall, which would require Congressional approval of any funding for a conflict in Iran
“It’s supported by all Democrats in the Senate. We are asking leader McConnell to do the right thing and give us a vote next week on the NDAA on that amendment.”
Hours earlier, the Pentagon released video showing the smoke trail of a US Navy drone that was shot out of the sky over the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, in what military officials described as an “unprovoked attack.”
President Trump told reporters that Iran made a “very big mistake” but also said he had the feeling that it might have been the result of someone being “loose” or doing something “stupid,” rather than a deliberate provocation by Iran.