US Blockade in Strait Violates International Law Says Iranian Spokesperson

Iran’s foreign ministry has sharply condemned the United States’ seizure of Iranian-linked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the actions a brazen violation of international law and a return to “government-issued piracy.” The criticism comes as tensions escalate in the strategic waterway, where both nations have targeted commercial vessels in recent days.

Iran Accuses U.S. Of “Legalized Piracy”

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on April 27, 2026, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei denounced the U.S. Seizures as “the outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.” Baghaei’s remarks followed the U.S. Interception of two tankers allegedly carrying Iranian oil near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments.

“Welcome to the return of the pirates — only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder ‘law enforcement.’ The United States must be held fully accountable for this brazenly lawless behavior, which strikes at the heart of international law and international free trade, and threatens the basic principles of maritime security.”

Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

Baghaei’s post included a screenshot of a statement from Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, detailing the seizures. The U.S. Has framed its actions as enforcement of sanctions against Iran, though Tehran and international shipping groups argue the moves undermine freedom of navigation.

Shipping Industry Condemns Seizures

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents about 80% of the world’s merchant fleet, has joined the criticism, calling the tit-for-tat captures of commercial vessels an “affront to freedom of navigation.” John Stawpert, marine director of the ICS, told Al Jazeera on April 25 that seafarers must be allowed to operate “freely and without persecution,” warning that political seizures set a dangerous precedent for global trade.

“All these people are doing is transporting trade. And really, we can’t have a situation where ships are being seized, ultimately for political ends, to prove a political point. These are innocent farers and they should be allowed to go about their jobs without fear of, essentially, imprisonment.”

John Stawpert, Marine Director, International Chamber of Shipping

Stawpert also rejected Iran’s stated intention to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “a violation of international law” that could embolden similar demands in other strategic waterways, such as the Strait of Gibraltar or the Straits of Malacca.

Ceasefire Violations and Escalating Tensions

The seizures come amid a fragile ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, which both Iran and the U.S. Have accused each other of violating. On April 19, Iran’s foreign ministry claimed the U.S. Blockade of Iranian ports was “unlawful and criminal,” further straining diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis. The U.S. Has defended its actions as necessary to enforce sanctions and curb Iran’s oil exports, while Iran has framed them as economic warfare.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, has become a flashpoint in the standoff. On April 24, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the container ship MSC Francesca in the strait, prompting retaliatory U.S. Actions. The ICS has called for the immediate release of all detained crews, emphasizing that commercial shipping should remain neutral in geopolitical disputes.

Global Oil Markets React

The escalating tensions have sent ripples through global energy markets. Oil prices surged above $106 per barrel in recent trading sessions, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions. Analysts warn that prolonged instability in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to higher fuel costs and supply chain bottlenecks, particularly for Asian and European importers reliant on Middle Eastern crude.

Despite the ceasefire, neither side has shown signs of backing down. The U.S. Has dispatched envoys to Pakistan in hopes of reviving negotiations, while Iran has vowed to resist what it calls “economic terrorism.” Meanwhile, shipping companies are increasingly wary of transiting the region, with some rerouting vessels around longer, costlier paths to avoid the strait.

International Law at Stake

Legal experts say the competing claims over maritime rights highlight a broader erosion of international norms. The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters, but enforcement mechanisms remain weak when major powers clash. The ICS has urged the U.N. And other international bodies to intervene, warning that the current standoff risks normalizing the seizure of commercial vessels for political leverage.

For now, the fate of the detained crews and vessels remains uncertain. The ICS estimates that dozens of seafarers are currently held in connection with the seizures, with their families calling for their safe return. As the U.S. And Iran trade accusations, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz shows no signs of abating, threatening to further destabilize an already volatile region.