Trump's 'shoot and kill' warning for Iranian ships amid Hormuz blockade
He said that there has to be “no hesitation” in carrying out such an action.
Highlights:
- US conducting mine-clearing operations, ordered to continue at triple intensity
- Comes ahead of expected new US–Iran talks within 48–72 hours
- US military seizes another tanker allegedly linked to Iranian oil smuggling
- Pentagon says clearing mines could take up to six months
United States President Donald Trump said that he has ordered his navy to shoot any boat which is found putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
He said that there has to be "no hesitation" in carrying out such an action.
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He added that the United States' navy is clearing out the Strait of Hormuz and that he has ordered the activity to continue at a tripled-up level.
"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 wrote in a post on Truth Social.
"Additionally, our mine "sweepers" are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!" he added.
Trump's fresh remarks come as a second round of talks between the United States and Iran is anticipated, with Pakistan attempting to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
On Wednesday (22 April), Trump hinted that a fresh round of talks with Iran could happen "within 48 to 72 hours", reported the New York post.
Earlier today (23 April), the United States military seized another tanker allegedly linked with smuggling of Iranian oil.
Trump's "shoot and kill" order for ships putting mines in the Strait of Hormuz comes after the Pentagon informed the US Congress that clearing mines from the key trade waterway, which is effectively closed and is under a naval blockade by the US, could take as much time as six months, reported the Washington Post.
Pentagon also reportedly added that the process to clear mines is unlikely to be kickstarted unless the war ends.
However, just days after the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran was announced, which has now been extended, the US forces had said that the process of cleaing mines in the Strait of Hormuz had begum and that the US Navy guided-missile destroyers were conducting the ops.
