President Donald Trump declared Friday that the American military had acted “like pirates” during a naval operation to seize a ship as part of the American blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
“We landed on the ship and took control. We took control of the cargo, took control of the oil. It’s very profitable,” President Trump said at a rally in Florida.
“We are like pirates,” he added to cheers from the crowd. “We are sort of like pirates. But we are not joking,” he further stated.
Trump’s comparison of the US Navy to piracy – deemed illegal under international law – comes as Iran plans to charge fees to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran closed this strategic maritime passage, through which a fifth of the world’s oil used to transit, following the start of American-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.
The US government announced new sanctions against Iranian interests on Friday and warned that those paying a toll to Tehran authorities to pass through the strait would face American penalties in return.
President Trump said Friday he was “not satisfied” with a new offer from Iran to restart peace negotiations with the US, renewing his threat to “pulverize” the Islamic Republic if diplomacy fails.
Possible military options being considered in Washington
On Thursday, oil prices surged again, with Brent crude jumping by 7.5% and exceeding $126 in Asia, as markets panicked over the prospect of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and potential military options being considered in Washington.
