U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he has instructed the Navy to use immediate lethal force against any Iranian boats suspected of placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a sharp escalation in Washington’s posture despite the current ceasefire with Tehran.
In a public statement, Trump said U.S. naval forces had been ordered to act without delay against any vessel involved in mining the strategic maritime corridor. He also said mine-clearing operations in the area are already underway and will now be significantly expanded.
The development adds new strain to an already fragile pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran. Tehran has repeatedly warned that it would respond to any direct American military action, while the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the broader confrontation.
The waterway, which connects the Gulf to the Indian Ocean, is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes. Before the conflict, roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies passed through it. Its disruption has already pushed oil prices higher and added pressure on fuel markets, including in the United States, where gasoline prices have risen sharply since the outbreak of the crisis.
Iran has argued that it holds rights over parts of the passage, particularly in areas that cross its territorial waters. The dispute over access and control of the strait has now become central to the wider standoff, with economic and military consequences extending far beyond the region.
