Donald Trump has ordered the US navy to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
“There is to be no hesitation,” the president said on Truth Social, adding that American forces were already working to clear the critical waterway “right now” at a “tripled-up level!”.
Despite Mr Trump’s threats, the Pentagon believes demining the Strait could take up to six months, according to The Wall Street Journal.
A coalition of nations, led by Britain and France, has been drawing up plans to reopen it, though only once fighting comes to a definitive end.
On Thursday, Tehran claimed it had received its first payment after imposing a toll on the Strait. It has said it will not reopen the oil artery until the US navy lifts its blockade of Iranian ports.
But Mr Trump has vowed to persist with it and told Fox News on Wednesday that he had “no timeframe” for ending the conflict.