US President, Donald Trump, has directed the US Navy to engage and destroy any vessels suspected of placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The directive was announced on Thursday via posts on his Truth Social platform, where Trump stated that naval forces had been authorised to act without delay against such threats.
He also disclosed that US mine-clearing operations were already underway in the waterway and would be intensified significantly.
He wrote: “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine “sweepers” are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
In a separate message, Trump described internal divisions within Iran’s leadership, pointing to ongoing struggles between factions he characterised as hardliners and moderates.
He claimed that the United States currently maintains full control over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that all maritime movement through the channel is effectively under US oversight.
Trump further indicated that restrictions on access to the strategic passage would remain in place until Iran reaches an agreement with the United States.