US President Donald Trump said he had ordered the navy to “shoot and kill” any boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming total control of the strategic waterway until Iran makes a deal.
“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,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday. “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!”
In a separate post, Trump claimed the US had “total control over the Strait of Hormuz” and that no ship could enter or leave without the approval of the navy.
“It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!” he said.
Iran considers a US blockade on Iranian ports in the strait to be a violation of the current ceasefire.
