Trump says US Navy acting “like pirates” in Iran blockade

US President Donald Trump said on May 1 that the US Navy was acting “like pirates” in enforcing Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports during the ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Trump made the remarks while describing the recent seizure of a vessel by US forces.

“We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business,” he said during comments on the evening of May 1.

“We're like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates, but we are not playing games.”

According to available information, US forces have seized some vessels departing Iranian ports in recent days, including sanctioned container ships and Iranian oil tankers operating in Asian waters.

The developments come amid a broader escalation in the region. Since the start of the war, Iran has effectively blocked most ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only its own vessels, while Trump has imposed a separate blockade targeting Iranian ports.

The conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks against Israel as well as the Gulf states hosting US military bases.

Since then, US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli military operations in Lebanon have killed thousands of people and displaced millions, according to reports.

The war has also had significant global economic repercussions, contributing to rising oil prices and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Trump, who has offered varying timelines and objectives for the conflict, which remains unpopular domestically in the US, has faced widespread criticism over his rhetoric. This includes remarks in April in which he threatened to destroy Iran’s entire civilisation.

In addition, many US experts warned in April that American strikes on Iran could amount to war crimes after Trump indicated that civilian infrastructure might be targeted.

By Tamilla Hasanova