President Trump Issues ‘Shoot and Kill’ Order Against Iranian Boats Deploying Mines in Strait of Hormuz

President Trump authorizes lethal force against Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and orders a 3x increase in minesweeping efforts.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 9:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Truth Social

Authorization of Lethal Force in International Waters

President Donald Trump has significantly escalated the rules of engagement in the Persian Gulf, directing the United States Navy to "shoot and kill" any boats engaged in mine-laying activities. The directive, issued via Truth Social on Thursday, targets the small, fast-moving vessels frequently utilized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to disrupt maritime traffic. The President’s order comes as a direct response to intelligence suggesting a renewed effort by Tehran to seed the Strait of Hormuz with explosives, an act the White House views as a declaration of economic warfare. Trump characterized the move as a necessary measure to protect global commerce, asserting that there must be "no hesitation" when American forces encounter these illicit activities.

Intensification of Mine Clearance Operations

Parallel to the lethal force authorization, the President has mandated a "tripled up" expansion of the Navy's ongoing minesweeping mission. Currently, the U.S. Fifth Fleet is utilizing a combination of traditional minesweepers and advanced autonomous underwater drones to identify and neutralize threats in the channel. Pentagon sources indicate that the expansion will involve the deployment of additional Littoral Combat Ships and specialized dive teams to clear a "safe pathway" for commercial tankers. The President’s push for a more aggressive timeline reflects growing frustration with the blockade, which has left dozens of cargo ships anchored in the Arabian Sea, unable to navigate the potentially lethal waters.

The Strategy of Active Maritime Enforcement

The White House is framing these orders as a component of "Operation Epic Fury," the broader military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s naval capabilities. By publicly announcing the shoot-to-kill order, the administration is attempting to create a deterrent against the IRGC’s "ghost fleet" tactics. U.S. Central Command recently reported the destruction of several inactive mine-laying vessels, but the President’s new directive shifts the focus toward active engagement. Navy officials have expressed that the orders provide much-needed clarity for commanders on the ground who have had to navigate the ambiguous boundaries of a "shaky" ceasefire and frequent Iranian provocations.