Trump orders U.S. Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat putting mines in Strait of Hormuz

▲ 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)

Trump-Iran operation

Trump orders U.S. Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat putting mines in Strait of Hormuz

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he had ordered the United States to "shoot and kill" any boat laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz in a warning against Iran, which seeks to assert control over the crucial waterway.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post, 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.

"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!"

The order came two days after Trump announced an extension of a ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a "unified" peace proposal.

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