Trump orders US navy to shoot down boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
United States President Donald Trump has announced Thursday that he has directed the United States Navy to immediately shoot and kill any boats—regardless of size—caught laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasising “no hesitation” in enforcement.
In a statement, Trump claimed that all 159 Iranian naval ships are “at the bottom of the sea,” asserting U.S. dominance in the region.
He further ordered an immediate tripling of mine-sweeping operations already underway in the vital shipping waterway.
“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation,” Trump said.
“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the statement concluded.
The orders come amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz serves as a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil shipments.
