US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has taken “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and ordered military action against Iranian boats allegedly laying mines in the strategic waterway.

In posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump said no vessel could enter or exit the strait without approval from the US Navy, describing the route as “sealed up tight” until Iran agrees to a deal.

“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is,” Trump wrote, alleging internal divisions between “hardliners” and “moderates.”

He claimed the former were suffering losses while the latter were gaining influence.

In a separate statement, Trump said he had directed US naval forces to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats involved in planting mines in the strait, adding there should be “no hesitation” in carrying out the order.

He also said US mine-clearing operations in the waterway were ongoing and had been ordered to intensify.

Trump further claimed that 159 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed, asserting that most of Iran’s naval fleet was now “at the bottom of the sea.”

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has also repeatedly stated that Iranian naval capabilities have been significantly degraded.

However, Iranian sources and some US media reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps retains operational gunboats and maritime assets.

The statements come amid ongoing US naval blockade operations against Iran and diplomatic efforts, including mediation attempts in Pakistan, to revive talks between the two sides.

Iran has made the lifting of the blockade a key condition for negotiations, a demand Washington has rejected.

In response, Tehran has tightened its control over the strait and begun seizing vessels.

Among the ships recently detained are the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas and Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, which Iranian media said were held over permit violations and alleged tampering with navigation systems.