US President Trump directs Navy to sink mine-laying vessels in Strait of Hormuz
The White House directive instructs the US Navy to fire upon and sink targets regardless of size, emphasising there must be no hesitation in the response.
US President Donald Trump has issued a direct order to the US Navy to attack and sink any vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The directive, which was posted on social media on 23 April 2026, explicitly instructs military forces to fire upon and sink the target ships irrespective of their size.
The communication from the President's office emphasises an uncompromising approach to the threat, stating clearly that there must be no hesitation in carrying out the order. This instruction targets vessels actively engaged in laying mines within the strait, mandating the use of force against them even if they are small boats.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil supplies, making the security of the waterway a matter of significant strategic concern. Regional tensions in the area have been exacerbated by recent Iranian actions, including the imposition of a maritime blockade and economic pressure on various nations.
While the US Navy has a long-standing role in maintaining freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, the specific identity of the vessels targeted by this new directive is not detailed in the available sources. It remains unclear whether the targets are state-owned Iranian vessels, private contractors, or unmarked craft.
The immediate operational response of the US Navy to this directive has not yet been confirmed in the provided text. Furthermore, the potential for escalation or retaliation from regional actors following this order remains unreported in the current digest.
This development follows previous reports indicating that Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has considered dispatching mine-clearing vessels if navigation obstacles persist after a ceasefire, highlighting the heightened sensitivity of the region.
