U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday the Strait of Hormuz is 'sealed up tight' and ordered the Navy to shoot vessels laying mines, according to Yonhap.
Trump's statement came amid rising tensions in the region, with the strait being a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
The order directs U.S. naval forces to use lethal force against any vessels attempting to disrupt the waterway with mines.
This move escalates U.S. military posture in the Middle East, following recent incidents involving commercial tankers.
Global oil markets reacted swiftly, with crude prices spiking over 3% on the news, analysts noted.
The Strait of Hormuz sees about 20% of the world's oil transit daily, making any disruption significant for energy supplies.