Trump Orders Navy to Target Mine-Laying Boats in Strait of Hormuz
"I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat ... that is putting mines in the waters,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, stressing that there should be “to be no hesitation” in enforcing the command.
He also alleged that Iran’s entire naval fleet, totaling 159 ships, is now “at the bottom of the sea,” indicating that any vessels involved in mine-laying activities would likely be "small boats."
The president further instructed an immediate increase—tripling—of minesweeping operations to secure the vital maritime route, which Iran had effectively disrupted following the start of the US-Israeli offensive on Feb. 28.
This directive comes in the context of a ceasefire with Iran, which Trump extended indefinitely on Tuesday, despite ongoing negotiations that have reached an impasse.
According to a report by The Washington Post, the Pentagon briefed Congress that fully clearing mines from the strait could take as long as six months. Lawmakers were also informed that Iran may have deployed 20 or more mines in and around the waterway, some reportedly placed remotely using GPS technology, making them significantly harder to detect.
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