The confrontation between America and Iran is escalating in the Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump ordered his navy to destroy any boats laying mines in The Strait of Hormuz, as part of escalating pressure on Iran, which confirmed the start of collecting traffic fees from the strategic corridor, in light of the US naval blockade on its ports.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced the landing of US forces on a ship in the Indian Ocean that was transporting Iranian oil, in the second operation of its kind within three days.

Fears of a new escalation

These developments raise fears of a new escalation in the confrontation between the United States and Iran, with no comment. Tehran officially responded to Trump’s announcement to extend the ceasefire for an indefinite period, and in light of the ambiguity surrounding the possibility of holding new talks in Pakistan, as part of efforts to put a final end to the war in the Middle East.

The American President wrote on his platform "Truth Social": "I have ordered the US Navy to shoot and destroy any boat, no matter how small, that lays mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz."adding: "There should be no hesitation, and our minesweepers are currently working to clear the strait".

The Washington Post quoted 3 officials in the US Department of Defense that "Members of Congress have been told that Iran may have planted two dozen or more mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz"

The Pentagon estimated that it would take up to six months to clear the mines from the Strait of Hormuz, which will affect oil prices globally, according to the newspaper’s report, the contents of which were denied by a Pentagon spokesman.

Confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz

For its part, Tehran announced, on Thursday, that it had achieved "The first revenues generated from fees for crossing the Strait of Hormuz"

The Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, said: "The first revenues generated from the fees for crossing the Strait of Hormuz were deposited into the central bank account"According to what was reported by Tasnim News Agency.

The Revolutionary Guard announced, on Wednesday, that its navy intercepted two ships, one flying the Panama flag and the other the Liberian flag. "They were taken to the Iranian coast"

The confrontation between Iran and the United States appears to be currently focused around the vital energy Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed after the outbreak of war on February 28, especially since Trump unilaterally announced an extension of the ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, and was scheduled for two weeks.

While the US Navy works to prevent the movement of ships heading to and from Iranian ports, Tehran says that ships must obtain permission to leave the Gulf waters or enter them via Hormuz.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter