Trump says US to attack any boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

[WASHINGTON] US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 23) said that he had ordered the US navy “to shoot and kill any boat” laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and that US minesweepers were working “at a tripled-up level” to clear any mines from the waters.

He added, without providing any evidence, that the US had “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, and that it was “sealed up tight” until Iran made a deal. 

Meanwhile, Iran flaunted its tightened grip over the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday with video of its commandos storming a huge cargo ship, after the collapse of peace talks that Washington had hoped would open the world’s most important shipping corridor.

State television broadcast footage overnight of masked troops pulling up in a grey speedboat alongside the MSC Francesca, climbing a rope ladder to a shell door in the hull and jumping through, brandishing rifles.

The footage, presented with an action-movie-style soundtrack and no commentary, also included views of another ship, the Epaminondas. Iran said it had captured both on Wednesday, accusing them of trying to cross the strait without permits.

Teheran has said that it will not consider opening the strait, normally the route for a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas, until the US lifts its blockade of Iran’s shipping.

Washington imposed the blockade during the ceasefire; Teheran called it a violation of the truce.

Trump cancelled threats to restart attacks on Iran in the ceasefire’s final hours on Tuesday, but refuses to lift the blockade. There has been no formal extension of the ceasefire, and no plans have been announced for further talks.

Pakistan, which hosted talks this month and had been preparing for a second round before it was called off on Tuesday, was still in touch with both sides, a Pakistani government source said.

SEE ALSO

Is Trump’s indefinite ceasefire with Iran the prelude to peace?

Iran tightens control of Hormuz after US calls off renewed attacks

Iranian officials were still declining to commit to sending a delegation, citing the US blockade and other reasons, the source added.

The US was separately due to host a second round of talks between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, with Lebanon seeking an extension of a ceasefire reached last week in a war that has run in parallel to the Iran war.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday killed five people, including a journalist, marking the deadliest day there since the US-brokered truce took effect.

Iran has sais that maintaining the Lebanon ceasefire is a pre-condition for talks on the wider war. REUTERS