Live Update arrow right icon From the Liveblog of Thursday, April 23, 2026

Trump says he has ordered US Navy ‘to shoot and kill’ mine-laying boats in Hormuz

By Jacob Magid 23 April 2026, 3:58 pm
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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event for NCAA national champions in the State Dining Room of the White House, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US President Donald Trump speaks during an event for NCAA national champions in the State Dining Room of the White House, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump says he has ordered the US Navy “to shoot and kill” any boat “that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.”

“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” Trump writes on Truth Social. “I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!”

The US has yet to confirm that Iranian ships have been placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, but says it has taken a series of preventative steps just in case.

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