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Tehran scolds US ‘outright legalization of piracy’ on high seas
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the United States for the outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas, following the interception of Iranian oil tankers by US forces under the pretext of so-called “seizure warrants.”
Esmaeil Baqaei issued a statement on Monday in response to announcements by US authorities claiming the interdiction of vessels such as the M/T Majestic (formerly M/T Phoenix) and M/T Tifani in the Indian Ocean.
These ships were reportedly carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil each, seized under so-called federal warrants issued by US courts as part of Washington's unilateral sanctions regime.
"This is the outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas," Baqaei stated.
"Welcome to the return of the pirates — only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder 'law enforcement,'” he stated.
“The United States must be held fully accountable for this brazenly lawless behavior, which strikes at the heart of international law and international free trade, and threatens the basic principles of maritime security," he added.
The US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and ships in response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have said the blockade is unlawful and a breach of a ceasefire that took effect on April 8 and was again unilaterally extended by US President Doland Trump hours before it was set to expire on April 22.
Iran has repeatedly warned that these provocative measures not only violate core principles of international law but also risk escalating tensions in critical maritime chokepoints.
Iran's military vowed to decisively retaliate the latest act of “piracy” by the US military forces against an Iranian commercial vessel and two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman.
US responsible for disruption in Hormuz: Envoy
Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, said on Monday that any disruption or obstruction in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters is the direct responsibility of the United States and its allies, whose reckless and illegal actions have turned a vital international waterway into a zone of heightened tension and danger.
He made the remarks during a United Nations Security Council high-level open debate on the safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain.
The Iranian envoy emphasized that the Islamic Republic has always upheld freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman.
For decades, Iran has responsibly fulfilled its duties as a coastal state, guaranteeing the safety of sea lanes and the smooth flow of international shipping, he said.
Iravani pointed out that the current crisis stems from the widespread and unjustified war of aggression launched by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran since February 28.