President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iranian officials are "having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is" as the fate of negotiations continues to be uncertain.
In a social media publication, Trump said the "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!!!" Trump added.
He also said he ordered U.S. forces to "shoot and kill" Iranian boats blockading the Strait of Hormuz.
"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," Trump said in another publication.
"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!" he added.
Negotiations remain at a standstill as Tehran continues its rejection of attending a new round of talks in Pakistan while the U.S. blockades the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has extended the two-week ceasefire declared earlier this month to give more time for Tehran to confirm whether negotiations will continue or not.
He has also said there is "no time frame" for ending the war. In a Fox News interview, Trump rejected suggestions that political considerations or looming midterm elections were influencing his approach, insisting the campaign would last "as long as necessary" to achieve core objectives such as dismantling Iran's missile program, neutralizing its naval capabilities and preventing nuclear weapon development.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier echoed the position, telling reporters the administration "wouldn't want to set a definitive timeframe" and that only the president would decide when to conclude operations.
As for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon has told members of Congress that fully clearing it could take as long as six months.
The Washington Post noted that defense officials delivered that assessment in a classified briefing, telling lawmakers that a full clearance effort likely would not begin until the current U.S.-Iran war ends. The assessment stands in contrast with Trump's remarks.
Officials added that Iran may have deployed at least 20 mines using both boats and GPS-guided remote systems, a combination that complicates detection and removal.
