Donald Trump Issues ‘Shoot and Kill’ Warning to Iran Ships Amid Hormuz Tensions

April 23, 2026

New Delhi: Donald Trump on Thursday said he has directed the US Navy to take decisive action against any vessels attempting to lay mines in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tension over control of the waterway between Tehran and Washington DC.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said there will be “no hesitation” from the US side to shoot down such boats. He further, in a veiled reference to Iran, claimed that all 159 of “their naval ships” are at the bottom of the sea.

“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,” the post read.

Mine Clearing Operations Intensified

The US President further stated that he is also tripling the task for clearing mines in the Strait.

“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!” it added.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, with concerns over maritime security and the safety of global oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints, handling a significant portion of international crude oil trade, which has seen disruption following the conflict in West Asia.

Pentagon Warns of Delays

Earlier, the Pentagon had reportedly informed the US Congress that clearing naval mines allegedly positioned by the Iranian military could take up to six months, highlighting a significant hurdle to regional stability despite a precarious ceasefire.

According to a US House Armed Services Committee briefing detailed by three officials to The Washington Post, this timeline has triggered “frustration” among lawmakers.

The delay raises concerns that energy costs may stay high even if a broader peace deal is reached.

Dispute Over Mine Deployment

Sources told The Washington Post that Tehran may have deployed 20 or more mines within the Strait. A senior defence official said some explosives were deployed remotely using GPS technology, making them harder for US forces to detect.

The mining activity reportedly began in March amid ongoing US and Israeli military operations. However, the Pentagon has disputed these reports, calling them “inaccurate” and criticising the disclosure of classified information.

The maritime dispute remains a key flashpoint, as Iran links reopening of the waterway to lifting the US naval blockade on its ports. Trump has maintained that Tehran must fully reopen the Strait and abandon its nuclear programme as a condition for peace.