Trump says US acted “like pirates” in seizure of Iranian oil vessel

• President Donald Trump said the US acted “like pirates” in seizing an Iranian oil vessel, drawing condemnation and threats of retaliation from Tehran.

Donald Trump said the United States was “sort of like pirates” as he described a recent US Navy operation in which forces fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship, highlighting tensions surrounding maritime enforcement measures in the region.

Speaking at an event on Friday, Trump praised the US military, saying it had carried out the कार्रवाई with precision. He recounted an incident in which US forces fired into the engine room of a vessel he said was attempting to breach what he described as an “iron wall,” appearing to reference the interception by the USS Spruance of the Iranian-flagged ship “Touska” last month.

“The ship stopped… we landed on top of it… and we took over the ship. We took over the cargo, took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business,” Trump said, adding that the operation was “like pirates.”

Iran strongly condemned the seizure at the time. The country’s military described the incident as “maritime highway robbery” and “piracy,” according to statements carried by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Tehran also warned of a potential response, saying its armed forces would retaliate against what it called US “armed piracy,” underscoring the risk of further escalation between the two sides.