Tehran/Washington, DC: “Armed robbery on the High seas”, is how Iran has described the seizure of two tankers by US forces. The tankers were allegedly carrying Iranian oil.
Washington has been accused of legitimising piracy by Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. The seizures amounted to “the outright legalisation of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas”, he said.
The world was witnessing “the return of the pirates”, Baghaei said in an X post, alleging that US authorities were using legal warrants to justify what he described as unlawful plunder under official flags, as reported by India Today.
The move was defended by US authorities though. Jeanine Ferris Pirro said US forces had seized the tankers Majestic X and Tifani under court-approved warrants.
Both vessels were carrying roughly 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil each when they were intercepted in the Indian Ocean, Pirro said. She said the operation was part of a broader effort to disrupt illicit oil networks and prevent sanctioned entities from profiting.
The US agencies would continue to “relentlessly investigate, track, and pursue” such cases in coordination with national security partners, Pirro added.
Meanwhile, the US continued to intensify its economic pressure campaign by warning companies worldwide against providing services to Iran’s airlines. This could expose them to sanctions, the US has said.
Businesses offering support such as jet fuel, catering, landing services or maintenance to Iranian aircraft risk punitive action under a programme dubbed “Operation Economic Fury”, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said.
Foreign governments have been urged to ensure that companies within their jurisdictions avoid assisting Iranian airlines in any capacity.
Bessent said that the US treasury would pursue “maximum pressure” on Iran and take action against any third parties found facilitating or conducting business with Iranian entities.
The seizure of the two tankers come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran continues to block movement through the Strait, the US has refused to call off the blockade on the country’s ports.
The seizures have intensified pressure on Iran’s oil industry, already strained by sanctions and restricted exports. Reports say that storage facilities at Kharg Island, are nearing capacity as crude continues to accumulate.
Iran faces a difficult choice, analysts say, as halting production risks long-term damage to oil wells while export routes remain constrained.
