US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the United States Navy to destroy any Iranian boats found laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. This directive comes at a critical juncture as Pakistan intensifies its diplomatic efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. The President emphasized that the US military is accelerating its operations to clear mines from this vital maritime corridor.
Trump's Directive and Accelerated Mine-Clearing Operations
" He further added that there should be no hesitation in these actions. Trump also noted that US mine-clearing equipment is currently active in the Strait, ordering the operation to proceed at three times the current speed to ensure the safety of the passage.
Attack on Cargo Ships and Seizure of Majestic X
The military order follows an incident where Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guards attacked three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, successfully seizing two of them. On Thursday, the US Department of Defense released video footage showing the presence of US forces on the deck of the Majestic X, a Guinea-flagged oil tanker seized in the Indian Ocean.
Internal Iranian Friction and Diplomatic Responses
In a separate post, Trump claimed that internal rifts between moderates and hardliners are causing confusion within the Iranian leadership, while he remarked that Iran is struggling to identify its leader. Conversely, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi identified US and Israeli attacks as the root cause of insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz. During a meeting with South Korea's special envoy to Iran, Chung Byung-ha, Araghchi asserted that Iran has consistently sought to protect its security and national interests.
Pakistan's Mediation and Peace Talk Preparations
Amidst the rising military tension, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with US Deputy Ambassador Natalie Baker to discuss diplomatic efforts for a second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad, while naqvi welcomed President Trump's initiative to extend the ceasefire, calling it a positive step toward de-escalation. According to a Ministry of Interior statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir are making every effort at all levels for a peaceful resolution. This follows previous meetings on Monday between Naqvi, Baker, and Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam.