Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, United States) – U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the United States military to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats suspected of laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran in the strategically vital corridor.
In a social media post on Thursday morning, Trump said he had directed the United States Navy to act without hesitation against any vessels attempting to disrupt maritime traffic.
“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 wrote, adding that U.S. mine-clearing operations in the area were being intensified “at a tripled up level.”
The directive comes amid growing concerns that the deployment of naval mines could choke one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, triggering far-reaching economic consequences beyond the ongoing conflict.
Rising Tensions Over Alleged Mining
The latest escalation follows U.S. intelligence reports in early March indicating that Iran had begun placing mines in the waterway. At the time, Trump warned that Tehran would face unprecedented consequences if the mines were not removed.
According to sources familiar with the intelligence, Iran has the capability to deploy hundreds of mines in the narrow channel, though even a limited number could deter commercial shipping due to the high risks involved.
Tehran has denied the claims, with its military stating later in March that it had “no need” to mine the Persian Gulf, insisting it retains other means to ensure its security interests.
Economic and Security Risks
The presence of mines in the Strait of Hormuz poses immediate dangers to vessels and their crews, while also threatening to disrupt global energy supplies. The waterway is a critical chokepoint through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass.
U.S. defense officials have warned that clearing the strait could be a prolonged process. Lawmakers were briefed this week that it may take up to six months to fully remove mines after hostilities end, a timeline a Pentagon spokesman described as “unacceptable.”
However, Commander of United States Central Command, Admiral Bradley Cooper, has expressed confidence that the number of mines remains within U.S. capacity to neutralize, noting that de-mining operations are already underway.
Expanding Military Actions
In a related development, the U.S. military earlier Thursday announced the seizure of another tanker allegedly linked to smuggling Iranian oil, further complicating efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Ship-tracking data indicated the vessel, Majestic X, was located in the Indian Ocean near a previously seized tanker.
The latest actions underscore a deepening confrontation in the Gulf, with fears mounting that continued escalation could have lasting geopolitical and economic repercussions.
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