U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the United States Navy to destroy any vessels suspected of planting mines in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the already volatile Gulf region.
In a statement shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the order authorizes naval forces to “shoot and kill” any boats involved in laying mines, regardless of their size. He stressed that there should be no hesitation in carrying out the directive, adding that U.S. mine-sweeping operations are already underway to secure the vital shipping corridor.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical النفط transit routes, and any disruption has significant implications for global energy markets. The latest development follows a prolonged standoff between Washington and Iran, which has vowed to restrict access to the waterway in response to ongoing U.S. pressure and port blockades.
Iran has insisted it will only allow limited maritime traffic until its demands are addressed, effectively tightening control over the passage and raising concerns among international stakeholders.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis have made little progress. Talks reportedly scheduled in Islamabad remain stalled, with Iran yet to confirm its participation, further deepening uncertainty around a potential resolution.
Trump maintained that the United States currently has “total control” over the strait and signaled that normal operations would only resume once Iran agrees to a peace deal. He also criticized Tehran’s leadership amid the ongoing impasse.
The continued confrontation has begun to weigh heavily on the global economy, with disruptions in oil supply chains and rising geopolitical tensions contributing to market instability. Observers warn that without swift diplomatic intervention, the situation could further escalate with broader international consequences.
