Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Donald Trump has sharply escalated tensions with Iran, issuing a dramatic order calling on the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any boats suspected of laying mines in the waters near the Strait of Hormuz, as maritime tensions and oil disruptions intensify in the region.
In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump claimed he had directed US naval forces to use lethal force against small vessels allegedly involved in mine-laying operations. He added that Iranian naval assets were already “at the bottom of the sea” and insisted there should be “no hesitation” in responding to perceived threats.
The comments come amid heightened instability around the strategic waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes.
Pentagon releases video of tanker seizure
Shortly before Trump’s statement, the Pentagon released footage showing US naval forces boarding an oil tanker in international waters in the Indian Ocean.
The vessel, identified as Majestic X, was described by US officials as being linked to Iranian oil shipments. The Pentagon said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt what it called illicit maritime networks supporting Tehran.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the Pentagon said in a statement posted on X.
Officials warned that sanctioned actors cannot use international waters as cover, vowing continued operations to block “illicit actors and their vessels” from operating freely at sea.
Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
The escalation comes as concerns grow over stability in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.
Reports of maritime seizures and counter-seizures have intensified fears of a broader confrontation at sea, with both US and Iranian-linked forces increasing activity in the region.
Oil markets react sharply
Global energy markets responded quickly to the developments, with Brent crude rising above $103 a barrel on Thursday morning, up around 1.3%, as traders priced in the risk of supply disruptions.
Analysts say renewed escalation in the region could add further volatility to global energy prices, particularly if shipping routes through the Persian Gulf are affected.
Ceasefire concerns deepen
The latest developments come amid reports that an already fragile ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran is under strain, raising fears that maritime enforcement actions could spiral into broader regional confrontation.
For now, both military and diplomatic signals point to rising pressure in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive waterways.
