U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he has ordered the U.S. Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Yonhap.
The order was issued amid rising tensions in the region, with Iran reportedly increasing naval activity near the strategic waterway.
Trump stated, 'We will not tolerate any threat to international shipping. Any boat caught putting mines will be destroyed immediately.'
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, with about 20% of the world's petroleum passing through it daily.
No specific timeline or additional details on the operation were provided by the White House as of Thursday afternoon.
The announcement has sparked concerns among analysts about potential escalation in the Middle East, though no immediate response from Tehran has been reported.