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Iranian official Esmaeil Baqaei on Tuesday accused the United States of effectively legitimising piracy after it seized two vessels allegedly carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean.Describing the move as a serious breach of international law, Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, said it amounted to “the outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.”
“Welcome to the return of the pirates — only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder ‘law enforcement’,” he wrote in a post on X, adding that Washington “must be held fully accountable for this brazenly lawless behavior,” which he warned undermines global trade and maritime security. The remarks came after US authorities announced the interdiction of two tankers suspected of transporting Iranian crude. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a post on X that forces seized the tanker M/T Majestic formerly known as M/T Phoenix, under a federal warrant, alleging it was carrying about 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil.She said a second vessel, M/T Tifani, had also been seized earlier in the week with a similar quantity of crude. “Overnight, pursuant to a seizure warrant submitted by my office and signed by a federal magistrate, US forces interdicted the dark fleet vessel… while carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil,” Pirro said.She added that the US would “continue to relentlessly investigate, track, and pursue these cases” to hold sanctioned actors accountable and curb illicit maritime trade, describing the actions as part of efforts to disrupt networks involved in transporting sanctioned oil.The interceptions come as the United States steps up enforcement against Iran’s seaborne oil trade during a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. According to Reuters, US forces have increasingly operated beyond the Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels in open waters to reduce risks from threats such as floating mines.The maritime standoff has further disrupted global energy supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for around a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has seen reduced traffic, intensifying supply concerns and contributing to a broader energy crunch.The seizures come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, particularly over sanctions enforcement and maritime activity linked to Iranian oil exports.
