Trump Orders US Navy to Target Mine-Laying Vessels in Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has directed the United States Navy to immediately target and destroy any vessels attempting to lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The directive was communicated through a post on Truth Social on Thursday, outlining specific operational instructions for American maritime forces in the region.

According to the announcement, naval units are authorized to engage and eliminate boats caught deploying underwater explosives. The president emphasized that the order takes effect immediately and applies to all vessels identified conducting mine-laying activities within the waterway. Alongside the authorization to intercept hostile craft, Trump also instructed military commanders to increase ongoing mine-clearing operations in the area threefold. The expanded sweeping missions are intended to locate and remove existing hazards to ensure safe navigation.

The announcement did not specify the duration of the directive or provide further details regarding the deployment of additional naval assets to the region. Military operations in the Strait of Hormuz will now proceed under the updated guidance, with mine-sweeping teams operating at a significantly higher capacity. The statement focused exclusively on the immediate destruction of mine-laying vessels and the accelerated clearance of the waterway, with no additional policy measures outlined in the initial communication. Naval personnel will implement the new directives as part of ongoing regional security efforts.