Trump orders Navy to shoot mine-laying boats in Strait of Hormuz
President Trump ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any small vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, even as a ceasefire with Iran continues. He tripled minesweeping operations and claimed “total control” of the waterway. Trump warned Iran “the clock is ticking” for a deal.
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any small boat caught laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, despite an ongoing ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat ... that is putting mines in the waters,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that there should be “no hesitation” in executing the order. He also commanded an immediate tripling of minesweeping activities to clear the strategic waterway, which Iran effectively disrupted following the start of the US-Israeli offensive on Feb. 28.
Mine threat and Pentagon assessment
Trump claimed that Iran’s entire naval fleet of 159 ships lies “at the bottom of the sea” and that any remaining mine-laying vessels would be “small boats.” However, the Pentagon told Congress that fully clearing the strait of mines could take up to six months, according to the Washington Post. Lawmakers were informed that Iran may have placed 20 or more mines in and around the waterway, some deployed remotely using GPS technology, making detection significantly more difficult. Iran has denied placing mines, calling the allegations American propaganda, though Iranian media reported that the IRGC has issued safe passage maps in the area.
‘Total control’ and ceasefire extension
In a separate post, Trump asserted that Washington maintains “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and that no vessel can transit without US Navy consent, describing the strait as “sealed up tight” until Iran is “able to make a deal.” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday that American forces have directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the naval blockade. Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely on Tuesday amid stalled negotiations, telling reporters: “I’ve been doing this for six weeks,” and dismissing comparisons to prolonged US wars. “I want to have it everlasting,” he said, but warned Iran that “the clock is ticking.”
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