United States President Donald Trump has directed the US Navy to engage and destroy any vessels involved in laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the strategic waterway.
In a statement shared on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the order applies to all boats, regardless of size, and stressed that there should be no hesitation in carrying out the directive. He also confirmed that US naval forces are currently conducting mine-clearing operations in the area and have been instructed to intensify those efforts significantly.
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In a separate message, Trump criticised Iran’s leadership, describing internal divisions between hardliners and moderates as chaotic. He claimed the United States now has full control over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that no vessel can pass through the route without approval from the US Navy.
The president added that the waterway would remain effectively closed until Iran agrees to a deal, signalling a hardline stance amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.