TRUMP ORDERS SHOOT AND KILL

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Trump orders U.S. military to ‘shoot and kill’ Iranian boats mining Strait of Hormuz.

STANDOFF AT SEA: The U.S. military says it has boarded another tanker involved in smuggling Iranian oil, as the intensifying maritime standoff between the two countries leaves the key Strait of Hormuz trade route effectively shut. Tehran attacked three commercial ships and seized two of them yesterday, and says the U.S. naval blockade is a “main obstacle” to new peace talks.
MINE CLEARING HORMUZ: President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats laying mines in the strait, adding that the U.S. would intensify its efforts to clear mines that have helped choke off global shipping.
TRUMP SAYS ‘NO TIME PRESSURE’: Despite the mounting global economic consequences, Trump said there is “no time pressure” in talks with Iran and “no time frame” on ending the war after he extended the ceasefire.
ISRAEL-LEBANON TALKS: Lebanon will seek an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in rare direct talks between the two countries today in Washington. Outrage over continued Israeli strikes will cloud the meeting, after the killing of a journalist yesterday.
DEATH TOLL: Iran’s forensics chief said nearly 3,400 people had been killed in the country since U.S.-Israeli strikes began Feb. 28. More than 2,200 people have been killed in Lebanon, 32 have been killed in Gulf states, and 23 have died in Israel. Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed, and two more died of noncombat causes.