▲ This photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. President Donald Trump speaking during an event in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Trump-Iran operation

(LEAD) Trump says Strait of Hormuz 'sealed up tight' until deal, orders Navy to shoot vessels laying mines

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday the Strait of Hormuz is "sealed up tight" until Iran is able to make a deal with the United States to end hostilities, as he ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat laying mines in the vital waterway.

Trump made the remarks in two social media posts, as the U.S. military has been doubling down on its naval blockade against the Islamic Republic, interdicting another vessel transporting oil from Iran in the Indian Ocean and reportedly escorting an Iranian oil tanker in the same ocean.

"We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy," he wrote on Truth Social. "It is 'Sealed up Tight,' until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!"

Trump has said the Iranian government is seriously fractured and unable to put forward a coherent peace proposal to the U.S. -- a reason why he has announced an extension of a ceasefire with Tehran until it submits a "unified" response.

"Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don't know!" he wrote in the same post. "The infighting is between the 'Hardliners,' who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the 'Moderates,' who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY!"

In a separate post, Trump announced his order to shoot any ships putting mines in the Strait of Hormuz in a warning against Iran, which seeks to assert control over the strait, a vital shipping route for oil, fertilizer and other commodities.

"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," he wrote on Truth Social

"There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine 'sweepers' are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!"

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