Trump Says He Ordered U.S. Navy to Sink Any Vessel Laying Mines in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump said he had ordered the U.S. military to sink any vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post on April 23, Trump said he had instructed the U.S. Navy to "immediately sink and kill" any vessel placing mines in the strait, "no matter how small the boat." He said there would be "no hesitation" in carrying out the order, adding that all 159 of Iran's naval vessels were "at the bottom of the sea."

Trump also said U.S. minesweepers were clearing the strait "at this very moment." He added that the operation would continue and that he had ordered its intensity tripled.