Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, May 3: Iran has strongly criticised remarks by US President Donald Trump after he described US naval actions involving Iranian vessels as “piracy,” escalating already strained relations between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the statement, saying it amounted to an admission of unlawful conduct. In a post on X, he accused Washington of openly boasting about actions Iran considers violations of international law.

Baghaei argued that the US president’s comments were not accidental but reflected what he called the “criminal nature” of American operations against international maritime activity. He urged the international community, United Nations member states, and the UN Secretary-General to reject what he described as the normalisation of such actions.

The controversy follows Trump’s recent remarks at a public event in Florida, where he said US naval forces had taken control of Iranian ships and cargo, calling the operations “profitable” and likening them to pirate behaviour.

Tensions between the two countries have been rising amid disputes over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has previously accused the US of enforcing an illegal blockade, while Washington has cited security concerns linked to regional instability.

According to Iranian officials, recent ceasefire-related negotiations held in Islamabad on April 11–12 failed to produce an agreement. Earlier developments in the region saw heightened military activity and retaliatory strikes between Iran, Israel, and US-linked assets, further straining diplomatic relations.

Iran has since tightened control over parts of the Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels linked to the US and Israel while maintaining that its actions are defensive in nature. The situation continues to draw international attention due to its potential impact on global energy and maritime trade routes.