US Boards Iranian Oil Ship; Trump Orders Forces to Target Mine-Laying Vessels in Strait of Hormuz
US forces have boarded the M/T Majestic X, a sanctioned ship transporting Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean, in the latest enforcement of a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic. The US Department of Defence described the action as a "maritime interdiction", undertaken to intercept or inspect vessels suspected of being hostile or violating regulations.
This interdiction comes as President Donald Trump instructed the US Navy to "shoot and kill" any boats found laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping channel. The US Central Command (Centcom) has reportedly ordered 33 vessels to return to port since the blockade was imposed on 13 April, with the Department of Defence affirming its intent to continue stopping ships suspected of "providing material support to Iran - anywhere they operate".
Iran has labelled previous US ship interdictions as "piracy". President Trump asserted on Thursday that the blockade is "100% effective", claiming Iran is "getting no business" and that he rejected an Iranian offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "it will open when we make a deal."
Meanwhile, Hamidreza Haji Bababei, deputy speaker of the Iranian Parliament, claimed that initial revenues from tolls imposed on ships using the waterway had been deposited with the country's Central Bank. No further details on the amounts or collection methods have been provided.
Despite President Trump extending a two-week ceasefire at Pakistan's request, the US has maintained its naval blockade. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led initial peace negotiations, stated that reopening the strait is "not possible" due to the blockade and other alleged ceasefire violations.
On Thursday, President Trump claimed US forces have "total control" of the Strait of Hormuz, while earlier in the week, Iran's navy reportedly seized two cargo ships in the strait. Footage shared by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) purported to show these seizures, though aerial shots appeared to be filmed hours after the reported initial incident. Greek authorities deny the Epaminondas was seized, though both vessels' transponders have been switched off.
Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed reports suggesting a six-month timeline to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz as "an impossibility and completely unacceptable."
The ongoing conflict began on 28 February with wide-ranging strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader and hundreds of civilians, including 110 children at an Iranian primary school. Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated his country is prepared to resume hostilities and return Iran "to the dark and stone ages," adding that Israel awaits a "green light from the US...to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty."
