US Iran conflict: ‘Return of the pirates’: Iran accuses US of ‘armed robbery at sea’ after oil tanker seizure | world News
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Iranian official Esmail Baqaei accused the United States on Tuesday of effectively legalizing piracy after seizing two ships allegedly carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean.Calling the move a serious violation of international law, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Baqaei said it amounted to “completely legalizing piracy and armed robbery at sea.”
“Welcome to the return of the pirates – only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sailing under official flags, and call their plunder ‘law enforcement,'” he wrote in a post on Twitter, adding that Washington “must be held fully accountable for this brazenly lawless behavior,” warning that it undermines global trade and maritime security.The comments come after US officials announced sanctions on two tankers suspected of transporting Iranian crude oil. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a post on Twitter that forces seized the tanker M/T Majestic, formerly known as M/T Phoenix, under a federal warrant, alleging it was carrying about 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil.He said a second vessel, M/T Tifani, was also seized earlier this week with a similar quantity of crude oil.“Overnight, pursuant to a seizure warrant presented by my office and signed by a federal magistrate, U.S. forces intercepted a dark fleet ship carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil,” Pirro said.He said the US “will continue to proactively investigate, track and pursue these cases” to hold sanctioned actors accountable and curb illicit maritime trade, describing the actions as part of efforts to disrupt the networks involved in the transportation of sanctioned oil.The blockage comes as the United States stepped up enforcement against Iran’s maritime oil trade amid a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. According to Reuters, US forces are increasingly conducting operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz, and targeting ships in open waters to reduce the risks posed by threats such as floating mines.The maritime standoff has further disrupted the global energy supply chain. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for about a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has reduced, increasing supply concerns and contributing to a broader energy crisis.The seizure comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, particularly over sanctions enforcement and maritime activity linked to Iranian oil exports.
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