President Donald Trump ordered the Navy on Thursday (23rd) to shoot down any small boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

He wrote on Truth Social, "I have instructed the U.S. Navy to shoot and kill any and all small boats in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz laying mines, no matter how small the boat (all boats in the water went to the bottom of the sea, 159 boats!). Do not let them do anything.

He added, "Also, our EOD ships are now clearing mines in the Strait. I have ordered them to continue, but to triple their efforts!"

The President's directive came an hour after the Pentagon announced it had seized another oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, within the Indo-Pacific Command's area of responsibility, carrying oil from Iran.

The Pentagon stated, "Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a maritime interdiction and board of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X, which was transporting oil from Iran, within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's area of responsibility in the Indian Ocean."

The Pentagon added, "We will continue to enforce maritime operations globally to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate. International waters cannot be used as a shield for sanctioned actors. The Department of Defense will continue to interdict illicit actors and their vessels from exercising freedom of maneuver in maritime domains."

Earlier, President Trump, in deciding to extend the ceasefire, stated, "I have instructed our military to continue the blockade and maintain a state of readiness on all fronts, and the ceasefire will be extended until Iran submits its proposals and discussions are concluded in any way."

Some media outlets, citing anonymous sources, reported that the President was considering a 3-5 day extension. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday afternoon (22nd) that President Trump had "not set a definitive deadline for receiving Iran's proposals."

President Trump reaffirmed on Thursday morning in another Truth Social post that he would wait for Iran to engage in negotiations and that the blockade pressure would continue.

He stated, "Iran has no idea who their leader is! They are very confused! The infighting between the hardliners who have suffered repeated defeats on the battlefield, and the moderates who are not really moderate but are gaining respect is severe!"

He added, "We have complete control of the Strait of Hormuz. No vessel can enter or exit without the approval of the U.S. Navy. The strait will be completely blocked until Iran comes to the negotiating table!!!"

NNP=Sung Ku Hong, Chief Editor / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com