Trump said Americans will 'soon find out' if he'll launch a military strike against Iran after it shot down a US drone

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

President Donald Trump listens while meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 20, 2019.

• President Donald Trump on Thursday said the country will "soon find out" if he'll hit Iran with a military strike after it downed a US drone. 
• Trump added some confusion to the situation when he suggested the downing of the drone was not intentional, even though Iran claimed responsibility and said it sent a "clear message."
• In a tweet earlier in the day, Trump warned Iran it had made a "very big mistake."
• Iran claimed the drone entered its airspace, but the Trump administration maintains the unmanned aircraft was operating in international airspace and characterized the incident as an "unprovoked attack."
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President Donald Trump on Thursday said the public will "soon find out" if the US will launch a military strike against Iran after it shot down a US Navy drone.

But the president also said he found it "hard to believe" that the downing of the drone was "intentional," despite the fact Iran claimed responsibility. He floated the possibility an Iranian general made a "mistake" in shooting down the drone. 

When asked if he's willing to go to war with Iran, Trump said, "You'll find out."

In short, stay tuned on what happens next. 

Trump had issued a cryptic warning to Iran in a tweet earlier in the day, stating Tehran had made a "very big mistake" by taking down the drone.

Read more: Iran just shot down one of the US military's most advanced drones - it costs more than an F-35 stealth fighter

Iran claimed the drone entered its airspace, but the Trump administration maintains the unmanned aircraft was operating in international airspace and characterized the incident as an "unprovoked attack."

The US and Iran are longtime adversaries, but tensions have reached historic heights over the past month or so as the Trump administration cripples Iran's economy with relentless sanctions.

As the crisis has escalated, the US has deployed more troops and other military assets to the Middle East - sparking fears of yet another conflict in the region. 

Read more: Trump says Iran made a 'very big mistake' by shooting down a US drone in an ominous tweet

Trump has said he does not want a war with Iran but congressional lawmakers in both parties have expressed concerns about his handling of the crisis and the direction its heading. 

Republican Sen. Rand Paul on Wednesday signaled he would work against the Trump administration if it attempts to take military action against Iran without congressional approval.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said it's crucial that the US work with allies moving forward, but lamented that the US has "lost credibility" ever since Trump pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.