Trump Orders Military to ‘Shoot and Kill’ Iranian Vessels Amid Escalating Strait of Hormuz Crisis
On April 23, 2026, President Donald Trump authorized U.S. Military forces to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats deemed threatening in the Strait of Hormuz, according to live updates from the Associated Press. The order follows a series of aggressive actions by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which seized two container ships and attacked a third in the strategic waterway on April 22, tightening its control over a route critical for global oil shipments.
The IRGC released video footage showing naval forces boarding and taking control of the vessels, asserting its dominance in the strait. Despite Trump’s claim that the U.S. Maintains “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, the seizures underscore the limitations of American influence in the face of Iran’s assertive naval posture. U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces had previously boarded a stateless oil tanker in the Indian Ocean suspected of carrying Iranian crude, though it did not directly intervene to prevent the IRGC’s actions in the strait.
The Pentagon warned in a congressional briefing that clearing sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take up to six months, further complicating efforts to restore safe passage for commercial vessels. Global oil prices remained elevated at approximately $100 per barrel amid the dual blockades imposed by the U.S. And Iran, with neither side able to fully open the waterway to traffic from allied Gulf states.
Diplomatic efforts continued separately, with envoys from Israel and Lebanon scheduled to meet in Washington on April 24 for peace negotiations unrelated to the Iran-U.S. Standoff. The White House reiterated that no firm deadline had been set for Iran to submit a proposal to end the broader conflict, even as Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Tehran.
The crisis has resulted in significant casualties, with estimates indicating over 3,300 deaths in Iran, 2,300 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and additional fatalities across other Gulf nations. Fifteen Israeli soldiers and 13 U.S. Service members have been killed in the ongoing hostilities.
As the situation remains volatile, the U.S. Maintains a naval presence in the region while relying on deterrence and limited interdiction efforts. Analysts note that the IRGC’s ability to operate freely in the strait challenges U.S. Claims of dominance and raises concerns about the long-term stability of one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints.