TEHRAN May 3, 2026 – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has formally called on the United Nations to condemn what it describes as U.S. “piracy” at sea, following remarks by President Donald Trump in which he likened American naval operations to pirate activities during the seizure of an Iranian vessel.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Trump’s comments were “no verbal slip” but “a direct and damning admission of the criminal nature of their actions against international maritime navigation.” He urged the international community, UN member states, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres to “firmly reject any normalization of such blatant violations of international law.”
The remarks stem from an incident in mid-April 2026, when the U.S. Navy seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska near the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel, nearly 900 feet long, was attempting to bypass a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. According to U.S. Central Command and Trump’s own statements, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance issued warnings before firing on the ship’s engine room to disable it, after which U.S. Marines boarded and took custody of the vessel, its cargo, and its oil.
Speaking at a Florida event on Friday, Trump openly boasted about the operation, saying: “We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business. We’re like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates but we are not playing games.”
Baghaei described the comments as a “brazen” admission that confirms the unlawful nature of the seizures. Iran has accused Washington of state-sponsored piracy and violations of international maritime law, particularly in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
The seizure was the first reported interception since the U.S. imposed the naval blockade on Iranian ports earlier in April amid heightened tensions in the region. Tehran has vowed a swift response, while the incident has raised concerns about the fragile ceasefire and broader stability in the Middle East.
This latest diplomatic escalation highlights ongoing friction between Tehran and Washington, with Iran framing the U.S. actions as threats to international shipping and global trade routes.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments at the United Nations and in the Gulf region.
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