The United States has intensified its maritime posture in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump directing the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats placing mines in the strategic waterway. Iran’s top negotiator said Tehran has begun collecting revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting the strait, underscoring its bid to leverage control over a key global oil route. The US Defense Department also reported boarding another sanctioned stateless vessel carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean overnight. Oil prices rose again as both sides use the strait’s security as leverage in ongoing, uncertain negotiations.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.