US President Donald Trump has said he has ordered the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any ship that attempts to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
He also said that US mine-clearing ships are operating at a much higher intensity to clear any explosive devices from the waters of this strategic sea route.
In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump wrote:
"I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any vessel, even small boats (their naval vessels are all, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is laying mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There must be no hesitation."
In addition, our minesweeping vessels are currently clearing the strait. I order that this activity continue, but at a tripled rate. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
