US President Donald Trump has ordered the country's navy to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, even as Iran announced that it has received its first revenue from tolls it imposed on ships passing through the strait.
The US military said on Saturday that two of its warships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz and conditions were being set to clear mines, while Iran's state media denied any US ships had transited the waterway.
An attack on Iran's southern coast or attempt to blockade Kharg Island, its main oil export hub, will lead to Gulf routes being cut with the laying of sea mines, including floating mines that can be released from the coast, the country's Defence Council said on Monday according to state media.
Tensions in the Gulf escalated sharply after reports that Iran had begun laying naval mines in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, prompting warnings from President Donald Trump and US military strikes against suspected mine-laying vessels.
