Iran Slams Trump’s ‘Piracy’ Remark Over Seizure of Vessels, Urges Global Action

Tehran, May 2026: Iran has strongly condemned remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the seizure of Iranian vessels, calling them an open admission of unlawful conduct and a violation of international maritime norms.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticized Trump’s statement in a post on X, where the U.S. President had described American actions as akin to “piracy.” Baghaei said the comment was not a slip of the tongue but a deliberate acknowledgment of what he termed illegal activities targeting international shipping.

“The president of the United States has openly described the unlawful seizure of Iranian vessels as piracy,” Baghaei said, adding that such remarks highlight the “criminal nature” of actions taken against Iran’s maritime interests.

Trump had earlier stated at an event in Florida that the U.S. Navy had acted “like pirates” while enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, claiming that ships, cargo, and oil had been seized. He also described the operations as “profitable,” further drawing criticism from Tehran.

Calling for a strong response, Baghaei urged the international community, including United Nations member states and the UN Secretary-General, to reject any attempt to normalize what he described as blatant violations of international law.

The controversy comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the breakdown of negotiations between Iran and the United States held in Islamabad earlier in April. The talks failed to produce an agreement after a brief ceasefire that had followed weeks of intense conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

In the aftermath, the U.S. imposed a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Iran responded by tightening control over the strait and restricting passage for vessels linked to the U.S. and Israel.

The escalating rhetoric and actions on both sides have raised fresh concerns about stability in the region and the security of global maritime trade.