Washington: President Donald Trump has increased tensions in the Gulf, directing the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any Iranian vessels found laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The directive, announced Thursday via social media, has prompted fresh concerns regarding the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Trump insisted there should be “no hesitation” in targeting boats involved in mining the vital shipping route, while also pledging to intensify mine‑sweeping operations at a “tripled‑up level.”
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow corridor linking the Gulf to the Indian Ocean, is a focal point of the conflict. Before the war, nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas shipments passed through the passage, highlighting its global importance.
The escalation comes amid duelling maritime measures: Washington has maintained a naval blockade against Iran‑linked vessels, while Tehran has seized foreign ships, accusing them of violating maritime rules.
US forces recently intercepted another tanker carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean, adding to a string of seizures in recent days.
Iran maintains that lifting the blockade is essential for talks. Despite the extended ceasefire, the standoff at Hormuz continues to threaten renewed conflict, with no resolution in sight.
This rewrite makes the headline urgent and gripping, while the story flows like a breaking news piece: starting with Trump’s order, then moving to the strategic importance of Hormuz, and finally situating it in the broader conflict.