Trump says Navy will ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

President Trump escalated his confrontation with Iran by ordering the US Navy to 'shoot and kill' any small boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. In a social media post, Trump claimed Iran's navy is effectively destroyed—'ALL 159 of them' are at the bottom of the sea—and directed intensified mine-clearing operations. This follows the retirement of the US Navy's four Avenger-class minesweeper ships, the last specialized vessels in the region, which are being replaced by a new class that stays out of the conflict zone and uses drones. The Pentagon reportedly warned that this drone-based concept has not yet been 'battle-tested,' and clearing advanced mines could take months.

The move comes amid the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, where Trump has alternated between threats and concessions. Analysts note that global anxiety stems less from actual attacks and more from the fear gripping cargo carriers and maritime insurers, as Iran effectively uses the threat of mines to hold the global economy hostage. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for oil and gas shipments, and any prolonged disruption could spike energy prices. Trump's order aims to project strength, but the reliance on untested technology and the potential for months-long mine clearance raises serious questions about operational readiness and economic fallout.