President Donald Trump said Thursday he has ordered the U.S. Navy to take lethal action against vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating a standoff with Iran over one of the world’s most critical oil-shipping lanes.
“There is to be no hesitation,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, after directing the Navy “to shoot and kill any boat” involved in mining the waterway.
Trump also said U.S. minesweepers are operating “at a tripled up level!” to clear the strait, which has been largely shut down since fighting erupted in late February.
The move signals Washington is tightening the screws as it tries to force Tehran to reopen the passage, a key condition tied to a fragile ceasefire that was set to expire this week before Trump extended it on his own.
The U.S. has backed that pressure campaign with a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports in the region. U.S. Central Command said overnight it has already forced 31 vessels to turn around or head back to port.
Trump made clear he believes the U.S. is firmly in control of the chokepoint.
“We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote in a separate post later Thursday morning.
WATCH: US Troops Seize Oil Tanker In Dramatic Clip As Hormuz Tensions Escalate
“No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!” he wrote.
Minutes later, Trump amplified a Washington Post opinion piece arguing he doesn’t need a formal agreement to achieve his goals with Iran.
“Very true!!!” Trump wrote.
Traffic through the strait remains a fraction of normal levels. The narrow corridor typically handles about 20% of the world’s oil supply, with more than 100 ships passing through daily in peacetime.
Since Iran’s de facto closure, that number has plunged into the single digits on most days. Tracking data from LSEG showed at least eight vessels — including three oil tankers — made the transit on Wednesday.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday that “reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible” as long as the U.S. blockade remains in place.
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