President Trump announced Thursday that he has directed the U.S. Navy to use lethal force against any Iranian vessels attempting to deploy naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a sharper military stance even as a fragile cease-fire remains in place.

“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat — small boats though they may be — that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There is to be no hesitation.”

“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” he added. “I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled-up level!”

The announcement followed confirmation earlier in the day from the War Department that U.S. forces had seized a tanker in the Indian Ocean carrying Iranian oil in violation of sanctions, marking the second such interception in recent days.

These developments place additional strain on a cease-fire that has already been extended multiple times in an effort to stop weeks of hostilities between the United States and Iran, including military strikes and disruptions to key shipping routes.

Trump most recently renewed the truce on Tuesday, stating that it would remain in effect while Iran prepares a “unified” proposal ahead of a planned second round of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Despite the extension, tensions have remained high.

Vessels linked to Iran and its proxy forces have repeatedly posed threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil transport, using naval mines and fast attack boats to harass and damage passing tankers.

Separately, a report on Thursday indicated that British military divers are preparing to carry out mine-clearing operations in the strait as part of a possible multinational initiative. According to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense, Royal Navy personnel trained in explosive ordnance disposal are ready to deploy alongside advanced unmanned mine-detection systems.

European nations, including the United Kingdom, have been discussing a broader coalition effort for weeks aimed at securing the waterway and ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels, though those plans have yet to be fully implemented.

In the meantime, the United States has intensified its maritime enforcement operations, targeting vessels suspected of helping Iran evade sanctions as part of a wider effort to cut off financial support for its military activities.

Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, with negotiations aimed at reducing tensions encountering setbacks, as Iranian officials have at times declined to engage even as U.S. representatives continue to press for renewed talks.

Trump’s latest directive underscores a more aggressive approach at sea, one that could either push Iran toward negotiations or further strain the already delicate cease-fire.

Speaking to The New York Post on Wednesday, the president said that “it’s possible” new developments regarding talks with Iran could emerge as soon as Friday.

{Matzav.com}