Strait of Hormuz tensions: Trump orders US Navy to stop Iranian mine-laying boats

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States Navy was ordered to fire on small Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The comments came as Washington increased pressure on Tehran over the key route. About 20 per cent of traded crude oil and natural gas passes through the strait.

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Trump issued the warning on social media as the US military intensified mine clearing in the waterway. "I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be... that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,\" Trump posted. \"There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine sweepers are clearing the Strait right now.\"

Strait of Hormuz mine threat and US Navy orders

Trump also said operations to remove mines would expand. \"I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!\" Trump added. The announcement followed a day of rising tensions in the strait. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards attacked three cargo ships, and seized two of them.

The US Defence Department released video earlier on Thursday showing American forces on the Guinea-flagged oil tanker Majestic X. The vessel was seized in the Indian Ocean. \"We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,\" a Pentagon statement said.

Strait of Hormuz tanker seizure and Iranian oil smuggling

Ship-tracking data placed Majestic X between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The location was near where US forces earlier seized the oil tanker Tifani. Majestic X was heading to Zhoushan, China. The ship previously sailed as Phonix and was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2024.

US authorities said Phonix was linked to smuggling Iranian crude oil in breach of US sanctions. Iran did not immediately respond to the seizure report. The standoff has also hurt shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Reports said nearly all exports through the strait have been choked off.

Strait of Hormuz ceasefire strain and Iran leadership claims

Trump said this week that a ceasefire was extended to give Iran’s leadership time to present a unified plan to end the war. Trump also said an American blockade of Iranian ports remained in place. There was no clear sign that talks hosted earlier by Pakistan would restart soon.

In a separate post on Thursday, Trump claimed divisions inside Iran were blocking progress. \"Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just dont know!\" Trump said. Trump also said the team was engaging Iranian officials seeking a deal during the ceasefire.

Strait of Hormuz attacks, shipping risk and global costs

Since the February 28 start of war involving Iran, Israel and the United States, more than 30 ships were attacked. The incidents occurred across the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. Higher insurance costs and fear of strikes have slowed traffic through the passage.

Iran’s ability to restrict transit from the Persian Gulf to open seas has remained a major strategic advantage. The ceasefire has faced pressure from US attacks on Iranian ships and Iranian strikes on commercial vessels. Officials said it was unclear if talks in Islamabad would happen.

Alongside the Iran crisis, Lebanon and Israel were set for a second round of talks in Washington. The talks were to discuss extending a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli positions in southern Lebanon, targeting soldiers in Taybeh, as both sides alleged breaches.

On Thursday, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi was splashed with red liquid after a Berlin news conference. Police detained the alleged attacker. At the event, Pahlavi criticised the ceasefire, saying it assumes Iran’s behaviour will change and \"youre going to deal with people who all of a sudden have become pragmatists.\"

Pahlavi, 65, has lived in exile for nearly 50 years. Iran’s 1979 unrest forced the shah from power after mass protests. Pahlavi has sought a role in Iran’s future despite that history. Meanwhile, the conflict has driven gas prices higher and lifted food costs in many markets.

Officials worldwide warned the economic effects could last. Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has affected shipping confidence and trade costs. With seizures, attacks, and mine fears continuing, there was no clear end to the US-Iran standoff. Diplomacy also remained uncertain as both sides weighed next steps.

With inputs from PTI