President Trump directed the U.S. Navy to use lethal force against vessels placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz and to triple mine-clearing operations.
9:37 AM
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the U.S. Navy to "shoot and kill any boat" laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating U.S. military posture in the vital shipping corridor.
"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 social media post. "There is to be no hesitation."
The order comes as vessel traffic in the strait has nearly halted since a war began in late February. Trump also directed U.S. minesweepers to intensify their clearing operations in the waterway.
"Additionally, our mine sweepers are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!" Trump stated in the post.
The directive reflects Trump's push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a ceasefire agreement with Iran. The ceasefire, which was set to expire this week, was unilaterally extended by the president.
The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. On April 20, U.S. forces fired upon an Iranian-flagged vessel that authorities said was attempting to violate the blockade, according to a photo provided by U.S. Central Command showing U.S. Navy patrols in the Arabian Sea near the M/V Touska.
Iranian leaders have stated there could be no further peace talks with the United States as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ships remains in place.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy said it seized two container vessels for maritime violations as tensions escalate over competing blockades in the strategic waterway.
President Trump extended a temporary truce with Iran pending submission of a unified proposal, while keeping U.S. military blockade in place.
The USS Spruance disabled the M/V Touska after its crew ignored warnings about a US naval blockade in the Arabian Sea.
President Donald Trump said he would fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if Powell remains in office past the end of his term on May 15.
President cites October 7 attacks and nuclear concerns as reasons for conflict that began February 28.
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