Trump vows to destroy Iranian ships laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

Washington [US], August 26: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again threatened to destroy any Iranian ships or boats laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as talks to end the war remain deadlocked.
"Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"There is a Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect." Trump also said the US military had informed him that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or destroyed.
He has made similar claims before. In mid-August, Trump said all explosive devices in the strait had been removed or destroyed and claimed the key waterway was fully open. However, almost a month and a half later, shipping traffic through the strait remains far below pre-war levels.
Trump also claimed that the US Space Force was closely monitoring the Strait of Hormuz as well as Iran's "Pickaxe Mountain" nuclear-related facility and three other nuclear sites. His comments came a day after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new measures aimed at cutting Iran off from the global economy by targeting countries and financial institutions that do business with Tehran.
Source: Qatar Tribune