Trump Orders U.S. Navy to Target Iranian Boats Laying Mines in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has instructed the U.S. Navy to "shoot and kill" any Iranian boats found laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. This directive follows the U.S. military's recent seizure of the Guinea-flagged oil tanker Majestic X in the Indian Ocean, which was associated with smuggling Iranian oil.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage through which approximately 20% of the world's traded crude oil and natural gas flows. The region has seen escalating tensions, with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently attacking three cargo ships in the strait, capturing two of them.

In response to these developments, President Trump stated, "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." He added that U.S. minesweepers are actively clearing the strait and that he has ordered this activity to continue at an intensified level.

The U.S. Department of Defense released footage showing U.S. forces on the deck of the Majestic X during its seizure. Ship-tracking data indicated that the vessel was located in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia at the time of interception.

These actions have further strained the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, with both nations accusing each other of violating the terms. The ongoing conflict has significantly disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to increased global oil prices and heightened concerns over maritime security in the region.