Trump Orders Destruction of Minelaying Vessels in Strait of Hormuz, Triples Minesweeping Efforts

(Central News Agency, Washington, May 23, Combined Foreign Media Report) US President Donald Trump vowed today that the United States will destroy vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. As tensions in the Middle East escalate, Trump continues to ramp up pressure on Iran, demanding that Tehran reopen this critical maritime gateway.

According to AFP, Trump posted on his social platform 'Truth Social': "I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships (159 of their naval vessels have already sunk to the bottom!). For any vessel caught laying mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, even small boats, fire and sink them. There should be no hesitation when acting."

Furthermore, Trump noted that the US military is currently conducting minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz. He stated: "I hereby order that operation to continue, and the scale must be increased to three times! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply is transported through the Strait of Hormuz, making it the only maritime exit for major energy exporting countries.

Tehran implemented a substantive blockade of the strait after the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. Iran had threatened to charge fees for vessels passing through the strait. President Trump emphasized that any peace agreement must include terms for the free passage of oil through the waterway. (Translated by Liu Shu-chin)