Iran has sharply criticised Donald Trump after he described US naval actions against Iranian vessels as being “like pirates,” with Tehran arguing that the remark amounts to an explicit acknowledgement of unlawful behaviour at sea and a violation of international maritime norms.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated that the comments were not accidental but instead constituted a clear admission of wrongdoing, accusing Washington of openly justifying actions that breach international law. He called on the United Nations, along with its member states and the Secretary-General, to reject any attempt to legitimise such conduct and to take a firm stance against what Tehran described as illegal interference with maritime navigation.
The criticism followed Trump’s public remarks in which he said US forces had seized ships, cargo and oil linked to Iran, portraying the operations as both deliberate and economically beneficial. His comments came amid an ongoing US effort to enforce a naval blockade targeting Iranian-linked maritime activity, which has included the interception of tankers and cargo vessels in recent days.
Tensions at sea have escalated significantly as part of the broader confrontation, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. Iran has imposed restrictions on most international shipping through the strait, while the United States has simultaneously tightened its own blockade on Iranian ports, effectively creating a dual chokehold on maritime trade in the region.
This disruption has had global consequences, given that a substantial share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passes through the strait, contributing to volatility in international energy markets and raising concerns about wider economic fallout.
The maritime standoff is unfolding within the context of a broader conflict that began on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israeli targets and on Gulf states hosting US military bases. The conflict has since resulted in significant casualties, displacement and regional instability, with spillover effects extending into neighbouring areas such as Lebanon.
Trump’s remarks have attracted criticism from multiple quarters, including legal experts who have questioned the legitimacy of certain military actions undertaken during the conflict. Iran, for its part, continues to frame US naval operations as unlawful and is seeking to elevate the issue internationally by pressing for scrutiny and response through the United Nations system.
