In response to Iran placing mines around the Strait, which experts believe are fewer than 100, US President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” suspected of doing so.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC<\/a>) dropped more mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, Axios reported on Thursday, citing a US official and a souce with knowledge.<\/p>\n The US military detected Tehran’s operation to lay additional mines and has been closely tracking it, the report said.<\/p>\n Experts estimate that fewer than 100 mines have been placed, but a US official declined to provide the exact number known to the US, Axios added.<\/p>\n US President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy in a Truth Social post on Thursday to \u201cshoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be, that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that the US\u2019s mine \u201csweepers\u201d are clearing the Strait, and that activity should be upped to a \u201ctripled up\u201d level.<\/p>\n US enforcing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz<\/p>\n In its latest operation, titled Economic Fury, the US has been intercepting and seizing ships<\/a> attempting to break its blockade or providing support for the IRGC.<\/p>\n