PressBridge

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has instructed the U.S. Navy to use deadly force against any vessel caught deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, even as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains in place.

In a message shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that naval forces are to act without hesitation against any boats involved in mining operations. He emphasized that such vessels would likely be small crafts, claiming that Iran’s larger naval capabilities have already been neutralized.

Alongside the directive, the president ordered a significant escalation in mine-clearing operations, tripling current efforts to secure the vital shipping corridor. The waterway has faced disruptions since the launch of a U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran on February 28.

The move comes shortly after Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, despite stalled diplomatic negotiations. However, concerns remain over the scale of the threat. According to a report presented to Congress by the Pentagon and cited by The Washington Post, clearing the strait could take up to six months. Officials believe that Iran may have deployed at least 20 mines in the area, some of which could be remotely activated using GPS technology, complicating detection efforts.

While Trump suggested that Iranian forces may have already begun removing mines and that U.S. strikes had destroyed most mine-laying capabilities, Tehran has firmly rejected the accusations. Iranian authorities have dismissed the claims as propaganda, although local media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued navigational guidance for vessels in the region.

In a separate statement, Trump described internal tensions within Iran, alleging a struggle between hardline factions and more moderate elements. He claimed that leadership divisions are deepening, portraying Tehran as politically unstable.
The U.S. president also asserted that American forces have full control over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that no ship can pass through without U.S. approval. He added that the passage remains effectively restricted until Iran agrees to a deal.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command confirmed that 31 vessels have been instructed to turn back or return to port as part of an ongoing naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping routes.