Iran Accuses the U.S. of 'Legalizing Piracy' After Seizure of Oil Tankers 0 18

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated that Tehran firmly condemns the United States for legalizing piracy. This came after the interception of Iranian oil tankers Majestic X and Tifani by U.S. military forces in the Indian Ocean. Baghaei emphasized that such actions are a "direct legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas."

In his statement on the social media platform X, the Iranian foreign ministry representative noted: "We welcome the return of pirates - only now they operate under government-issued orders, sail under official flags, and call their plunder 'law enforcement activities.'" He also stressed that the U.S. must bear full responsibility for its "lawless behavior."

According to Baghaei, such behavior "strikes at the foundations of international law and international free trade and threatens the fundamental principles of maritime security." Meanwhile, Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN Amir-Saeed Iravani, speaking with reporters, made serious accusations.

He emphasized that "the United States and Israel are waging an illegal aggressive war against Iran in violation of the UN Charter, undermining maritime security and threatening regional peace." Earlier, at a UN Security Council meeting, Iravani had already noted that Tehran needs "reliable guarantees" against attacks to establish stability in the Persian Gulf.

Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN stated: "Long-term stability and security in the Persian Gulf and the region as a whole can only be achieved through a solid and permanent cessation of aggression against Iran, supplemented by reliable guarantees of non-recurrence and full respect for Iran's legitimate sovereign rights and interests." Last week, two sanctioned oil tankers of Iran's "shadow fleet" - Majestic X and Tifani - were seized in the Indian Ocean.

The seizure was carried out by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). Each of these vessels was carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil. The confiscation was made under so-called federal orders issued by U.S. courts as part of Washington's unilateral sanctions regime.