Donald Trump promised Friday that his White House would deliver maximum retaliation against any Iranian ship that provokes a U.S. Navy vessel and its crew.

"With Iran," the Republican candidate said at a campaign stop in Pensacola, Fla., "when they circle our beautiful destroyers with their little boats, and they make gestures at our people that they shouldn't be allowed to make, they will be shot out of the water."

The crowd seemed to approve, and responded to the GOP nominee's promises with enthusiastic cheering and applause.

Earlier this week, Iran reportedly harassed another U.S. Navy vessel in the Persian Gulf, which follows an incident in January where 10 U.S. sailors where briefly put into Iranian custody.