Donald Trump has issued a "shoot to kill" order for Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The President said he has also directed the US Navy to step up clearance of the explosive devices from the critical Gulf waterway.
Meanwhile, the American military seized another tanker suspected of smuggling Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean.
The seizure comes after Iran attacked three cargo ships on Wednesday in the strait, capturing two of them.
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President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: "I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
"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!
"Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP."
In another post a short time later, he added: "Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know!"
President Trump issued a warning to the Iranian navy
| GETTYThe President continued: "The infighting is between the 'Hardliners', who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the 'Moderates', who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY!
"We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz.
"No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy.
"It is ‘Sealed up Tight’, until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP."
MAPPED: Where is the Strait of Hormuz? | GB NEWSLATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM IRAN:
Meanwhile, military planners from a coalition of countries have continued to meet in London as part of plans for a UK and France-led defensive mission to keep the vital maritime passage open once the Iran war is over.
Defence Secretary John Healey and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin said in a joint message to them: "This multinational military planning conference matters.
"Your task is to translate the diplomatic consensus set by our leaders into practical military options, with a coordinated joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the strait and support a lasting ceasefire.
"Turning diplomatic momentum into action demands sharp planning, frank discussion and firm commitments from allied and partner nations, and we are grateful to those nations who have already indicated their willingness to contribute."
John Healey and his French counterpart urged 'sharp planning, frank discussion and firm commitments'
|GETTY
Amid diplomatic efforts to restart the failed talks, a senior Iranian source told reporters that Iran could consider attending a meeting in Pakistan, but only if the US blockade is lifted and seized Iranian ships are released.
Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, said the merchant vessels attacked in the strait had "faced the law".
Iranian speedboats and marine drones were sheltering in sea caves off an island near the strait and keeping the US Navy from approaching, he said.
The vice speaker of Iran's parliament, Hamidreza Hajibabaei, said the first revenue from a toll Iran was now collecting from ships using the strait had been transferred to the central bank, however he gave no further details about who had paid it or how much.