Trump says US Navy acting 'like pirates' to carry out naval blockade of Iranian ports
US President Donald Trump speaks at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida about the recent interception, boarding, and seizure of Iranian cargo ships and oil tankers by the US Navy. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB
US President Donald Trump said on Friday the US Navy was acting "like pirates" in carrying out Washington's naval blockade of Iranian ports during the US and Israel's war against Iran.
Trump made the comments while describing the seizure by US forces of a ship a few days ago.
"We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It's a very profitable business," Trump said in remarks on Friday evening. "We're like pirates. We're sort of like pirates, but we are not playing games."
Trump on the U.S. Navy seizing ships:
It’s a very profitable business. We’re like pirates.pic.twitter.com/CTqUFl7QAeSome of Tehran's vessels have been seized by the US after leaving Iranian ports, along with sanctioned container ships and Iranian tankers in Asian waters.
Iran has blocked nearly all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz apart from its own since the start of the war. Trump has imposed a separate blockade of Iranian ports.
The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and the Gulf states that host US bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands of civilians and displaced millions.
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The war has raised oil prices and led to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Trump, who has offered shifting timelines and goals for the war that remains unpopular in the US, has faced widespread condemnation over his comments on the conflict, including when he threatened to destroy Iran's entire civilisation last month.
Many US experts said last month that American strikes on Iran amount to war crimes after Trump threatened to target civilian infrastructure, as well as since the triple-tap attack on the Minab girls' school in Iran.