The latest threat was confirmed by General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, the commander of the Guards in the southern province of Kerman. Targets include ships in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and Tel Aviv. Abuhamzeh also added that vital American targets in the region had been identified a ‘long time ago’.

He said “The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there … some 35 U.S. targets in the region, as well as Tel Aviv, are within our reach”

But a few details about the terminated mission and the circumstances that led to the reversal were available.

A lot of news outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post and Associated Press, shared reports of similar accounts — citing unnamed sources. These reports portray a mission that would have targeted Iranian missile batteries and radars. No shots were fired and no missiles were launched, according to the AP.

The Times reported that planes were in the air and ships in position but no shots were fired.

Top White House officials met on Thursday for a classified briefing that lasted over an hour about the drone and those in attendance suggested that a “measured” response was likely coming soon.

Despite earlier rhetoric, United States President Donald Trump indeed appeared to be taking a measured approach to the crisis. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., an outspoken Donald Trump critic who leads the House Intelligence Committee, said that Trump is listening to congressional leaders who are urging caution.

Donald 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 and stupid,” rather than a deliberate provocation by Iran.

The Pentagon shared a video showing the smoke trail of a 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.”

The tensions between Washington and Tehran have increased ever since Donald Trump retreated from the Obama-era nuke deal in May 2018.

Iran has been under strain from United States sanctions after seeing its currency drop by about 60 percent in 12 months, according to EU figures. Food and drug prices are up 40 and 60 percent respectively.

However, the  United States Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order Thursday prohibiting United States operators from flying in an overwater area of Tehran-controlled airspace over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman “due to heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the region.”