Trump authorises U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” Iranian mine-laying boats in Strait of Hormuz escalation
President Donald Trump has ordered the United States Navy to “shoot and kill” any small vessels seen laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating a months‑long standoff in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump told the Pentagon there should be “no hesitation” in targeting such boats and said that U.S. minesweeping operations in the strait were already underway and would be significantly expanded. The order comes amid a widening confrontation with Iran over control of the narrow passage through which roughly a fifth of the world’s traded…