By Ginika Igboke
President Donald Trump on April 23 said he has authorized the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” Iranian boats placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, in an effort to restore safe passage through the critical shipping route.
Trump said the U.S. Navy had been directed “to shoot and kill any boat,” including Iran’s fleet of small vessels, that are involved in laying mines in the strait. “There is to be no hesitation,” he added.
He also indicated that U.S. minesweeping ships would continue operations to clear any mines already deployed in the waterway.
The directive signals a push to reopen the strait, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, and typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Commercial traffic through the passage has been severely disrupted since late February.
Following the launch of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Tehran retaliated by attacking or seizing vessels in the strait and surrounding waters. Iran has also launched drones and missiles targeting Israel and nearby countries.
The disruption has driven up global energy prices. Brent crude rose again this week, reaching $100 per barrel and climbing to $103 during Thursday trading.
Fuel costs have also increased in the United States, with the national average price for regular gasoline rising to $4.03 per gallon, compared to just under $3 per gallon before the conflict.
Trump has continued to pressure Iran to reopen the strait, previously warning that the United States could target key infrastructure such as power plants and bridges if no agreement is reached. At the same time, he announced a two-week ceasefire—extended earlier this week—to give Iran’s leadership time to present a proposal.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports to increase economic pressure on Tehran. U.S. Central Command reported that 31 ships were instructed to turn back or return to port during the operation.
Hours later, the U.S. military announced it had seized another tanker, the Majestic X, in the Indian Ocean, alleging it was involved in smuggling Iranian oil. The seizure followed Iranian attacks on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, two of which were captured. Ship-tracking data placed the Majestic X between Sri Lanka and Indonesia at the time.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the Department of War said in a statement.
Iranian outlet Tasnim News reported that the country has begun depositing transit fees collected from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz into its national treasury.
Earlier this month, Trump warned that Iran’s decision to impose transit fees on commercial shipping could prompt further military action.
Original article
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