Trump orders U.S. military to 'shoot and kill' Iranian small boats choking Strait of Hormuz

Lead

The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz has entered a dangerous new phase, with U.S. President Donald Trump ordering the U.S. military to "shoot and kill" Iranian small boats that he says are choking the critical waterway. The order, reported by The Hindu, came as Iran vowed not to reopen the strait as long as the United States maintains its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The escalating confrontation has driven global oil prices above $120 per barrel, according to multiple sources, and has raised concerns about the stability of the global economy. The Hindu reported that the U.S. military is also intensifying its mine-clearing efforts in the strait, a key transit point for about a fifth of the world's oil exports.

Coverage Comparison

The five outlets covering this story have each emphasized different aspects of the crisis, reflecting their regional and editorial perspectives. Al Jazeera, with its Middle East focus, has highlighted the broader struggle for control of the strait and the imposition of tolls by Iran on ships passing through. France 24 has concentrated on the economic fallout, including rising oil prices and the impact on U.S. consumers, while TASS has framed the issue as a strategic battle over control of maritime chokepoints.

The Hindu, which provided the most detailed reporting on the military order, has also noted that negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been deadlocked since a ceasefire came into effect on April 8. All sources agree on the fundamental facts: the U.S. has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, Iran has responded by closing the strait, and the economic consequences are being felt worldwide.

Key Claims

• Iran's refusal to reopen the strait: Iran has vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the United States blockades its ports, a claim reported by The Hindu and consistent with other coverage. However, TASS reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on April 17 that the strait was open for commercial vessels, a statement that appears to contradict the vow. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later said Iran had blocked the strait until the U.S. naval blockade is completely lifted, according to TASS. These reports illustrate the fluctuating and contested nature of the strait's status.

• Trump's order to "shoot and kill": U.S. President Donald Trump, in a social media post reported by The Hindu, ordered the U.S. military to "shoot and kill" Iranian small boats in the strait. This claim has been reported by a single outlet and has not been independently verified by other sources covered in this analysis.

• Economic impact: Global oil prices have exceeded $120 per barrel, according to Al Jazeera and other sources, with average U.S. gas prices hitting a four-year high. Saudi Aramco's CEO told analysts that the closure of the strait has caused a loss of 100 million barrels every week, as reported by France 24.

• Threats of 'unprecedented action': Iran's military has warned of "unprecedented action" if the U.S. blockade continues, according to Al Jazeera. The report quotes Iran's military saying that "the restraint shown by armed forces so far has been intended to give diplomacy a chance."

• Ceasefire on 'massive life support': President Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was "on massive life support," as reported by France 24. Iran has warned that any U.S. attempt to interfere in the strait would be considered a breach of the West Asia ceasefire, according to The Hindu.

• U.S. escorting ships: Trump said the United States would begin escorting ships through the blocked waterway, as reported by The Hindu. The same report noted that Iran would consider this a breach of the ceasefire.

• Rubio's 'economic nuclear weapon' analogy: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described control over strategic straits as "the economic equivalent of a nuclear weapon," in an interview reported by TASS.

Perspectives

The standoff has elicited sharply different responses from the parties involved. The U.S. administration, through Trump's statements, has portrayed the blockade as a successful measure aimed at pressuring Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and sign a final deal. Trump has urged Tehran to "just give up," according to Al Jazeera.

Iran, for its part, has framed the closure of the strait as a defensive response to U.S. and Israeli attacks, and has insisted on the complete lifting of the naval blockade as a precondition for reopening the waterway. Iran's military has also sought to cast its actions as measured, giving diplomacy a chance. The Iranian Foreign Minister's earlier statement that the strait was open, as reported by TASS, suggests a nuanced diplomatic position, though the IRGC later asserted the strait was blocked.

Economic stakeholders, such as Saudi Aramco, have highlighted the severe disruption to global energy supplies, while world markets react to the uncertainty. The situation remains fluid, with negotiations deadlocked and both sides showing little willingness to back down.

Corrections and Updates

This article was compiled on May 12, 2026, based on reporting from outlets covering the period from April 14 to May 12, 2026. Since then, the situation may have evolved. Notably, TASS reported that on April 17, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strait was open, but the IRGC later claimed it was closed—a discrepancy that underscores the volatility of the situation.