WASHINGTON, April 23 (Bernama-dpa) -- US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he has given an order to shoot down any vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
"I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation," Trump said in a social media post.
“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled level!”
The remarks came one week after Trump said Tehran "has removed, or is removing, all sea mines".
After the US and Israel began attacking Iran on Feb 28, Iran responded by effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to attack any vessels that did not obtain its permission to transit the waterway.
The blockade caused major disruptions to global trade, sending energy prices soaring and sparking frantic measures to prevent fuel shortages.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has been a major sticking point in negotiations to end the war after a two-week ceasefire began on April 8.
Days later, the US implemented a blockade affecting ships coming from or heading to Iranian ports, as Washington tries to cut Tehran off from key revenue streams.
Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire on Tuesday, but the US blockade remains in place.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
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