Dueling blockades: Trump orders Navy to shoot ships laying mines, while Iran storms cargo ship

U.S. Central Command is boasting that the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz turned back over 30 ships, which Iranian state television ran video of Iranian forces storming a large cargo ship.

By Kevin Killough

Published: April 23, 2026 9:31am

The double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continued Thursday as Iranian and U.S. forces attempted to control the passage of vessels in the waterway vital to global petroleum and petrochemical trade.

President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat, no matter the size, that is caught laying mines in the strait.

"There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine 'sweepers”'are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

U.S. Central Command said in a graphic posted on X. that the U.S. blockade in the strait has forced 31 ships to turn around and return to port. Most of the ships have been oil tankers.

Iran displayed the strength of its blockade on the same waterway in a video broadcast over state television Thursday. The video showed Iranian commandos storming a large cargo ship, Reuters reported.

The masked troops with rifles pulled alongside the vessel and climbed a rope ladder to board the ship.

Iran also claims to have captured a second ship, the Empaminondas, which it accused of trying to cross the strait without permits.

CENTCOM said its blockade consists of an armada of 17 military ships, including aircraft carriers, as well as over 10,000 troops and over 100 aircraft.