President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the United States Navy to destroy any boats found laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating pressure on Iran over control of the vital waterway.
“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote in a post cited by U.S. media. He added that there should be “no hesitation” in carrying out the directive.
Trump also said U.S. mine‑sweeping operations were already under way. “Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” he stated, underscoring Washington’s determination to keep the strategic chokepoint open to international shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to global markets, is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, previously handling around a fifth of globally traded oil and liquefied natural gas. The order comes amid rising tensions with Iran over naval movements and control of commercial traffic in the area.
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