Representative image
Iranian official Esmail Baghaei on Tuesday accused the United States of legitimizing piracy after it seized two ships allegedly carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean.Baghi, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, described this step as a serious violation of international law, and said it amounted to “full legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.”
He watches
Iran moves to legalize military control and “riyal-only” duties on the Strait of Hormuz
“Welcome back to the pirates – only now, they operate under government orders, sail under official flags, and call what they plunder ‘law enforcement,’” he wrote in a post on X, adding that Washington “must take full responsibility for this blatantly illegal behaviour,” which he warned undermines global trade and maritime security.
These statements came after the US authorities announced the interception of two tankers suspected of transporting Iranian crude. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a post on the X website that forces seized the tanker M/T Majestic, formerly known as M/T Phoenix, under a federal warrant, alleging that it was carrying about 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil.It added that a second ship, M/T Tiffany, was seized earlier in the week carrying a similar amount of crude.
“Overnight, under a seizure warrant submitted by my office and signed by a federal judge, US forces intercepted the Black Fleet ship… while it was carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil,” Pirro said.She added that the United States “will continue to relentlessly investigate, track, and pursue these cases” to hold sanctioned entities accountable and reduce illicit maritime trade, describing these measures as part of efforts to disrupt networks involved in transporting sanctioned oil.The interceptions come as the United States intensifies measures against Iran’s seaborne oil trade during a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. According to Reuters, US forces are increasingly operating outside the Strait of Hormuz, targeting ships in open waters to reduce risks from threats such as floating mines.The maritime confrontation caused further disruption to global energy supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for about a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has seen a drop in traffic, intensifying concerns about supplies and contributing to a broader energy crisis.The seizures come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, especially over the implementation of sanctions and maritime activity related to Iranian oil exports.