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Trump has ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any boat dropping mines in Strait of Hormuz

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Pictured: HMS Shoreham leaving Faslane. HMS Shoreham has sailed from Clyde Naval Base – her home for the past two decades – for the final time, beginning a short ‘goodbye tour’ of the UK. The minehunter was escorted out of Gareloch and into the Clyde by Royal Marines craft and the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron, while Naval Base Commander Robert Anstey joined the Sandown-class vessel. Equipped with specialist kit, underwater vehicles and a clearance diving team, it’s been Shoreham’s mission to keep sea lanes open by ensuring there are no mines hindering the safe passage of shipping – in particular dealing with devices placed in deep waters, thanks to a sonar which detaches from the hull and can be lowered. Launched at the Vosper Thornycroft yard in Southampton in 2001, she was commissioned the following year in her namesake Sussex town – the fifth Royal Navy vessel to bear its name.

by Democrat reporter

US President Donald Trump says he has ordered his ‘mine sweepers’ to ‘triple up’ their activity in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump says he has ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any boat that is dropping mines in the Strait, casting doubt over a fragile ceasefire holding between the countries.

“There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine sweepers are clearing the Strait right now,” the US president wrote on Truth Social.  “I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled-up level!”

It comes after he said there is “no time frame” for ending the war with Iran after announcing he was indefinitely calling off attacks with no sign of peace talks restarting.

The status of a two-week-old ceasefire, due to have expired earlier this week, remained unclear on Thursday.

Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and escorted them to Iranian shores, according to statements by the shipping companies.

A third, Liberia-flagged container ship was fired upon in the same area but was not damaged and had resumed sailing, according to maritime security sources.

Who is John Phelan? MAGA donor with no military experience sacked as Trump’s Navy Secretary

US navy secretary John Phelan has left his role immediately amid reports of a falling out with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

A Pentagon spokesperson said on Wednesday that the senior official had left his post after disagreeing with Hegseth and his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, over several issues, including how to revive the Navy’s shipbuilding program.

“President [Donald] Trump and Secretary Hegseth agreed new leadership at the Navy is needed,” a senior administration official told The Independent on Wednesday evening. “Secretary Hegseth informed John Phelan of this news prior to it being made public.”

Top of page: A British Navy minesweeper pictured at HM Naval Base Clyde on the Gareloch.

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