Trump Proud of US Military Acting Like Pirates, Calls It Profitable Business
Amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump made a controversial statement comparing American military actions at sea to piracy practices, as Washington and Tehran pressure each other through blockades.
In a public rally in the state of Florida this past weekend, Trump vividly described US Navy operations that seized a ship amid the blockade policy against Iran.
“We … landed on it and we took over the ship. We took over its cargo, took over its oil. This is a very profitable business,” Trump said to his supporters, as reported by The Guardian.
He then added in a tone that provoked cheers from the crowd, “We’re like pirates. We are sort of like pirates. But we’re not playing around.”
The statement comes amid growing attention to the legal aspects of the maritime conflict between the two countries. International law experts are raising concerns about Iran’s actions in blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas distribution, and Tehran’s plans to impose fees on passing ships.
Iran effectively closed the route after the start of a joint US and Israeli airstrike campaign against Iran on 28 February. This closure has significant impacts because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy trade routes.
In response, the US announced a blockade on Iranian ports last month after peace negotiations in Pakistan failed to yield a breakthrough. This move has further heightened tensions between the two countries.
The US Central Command, responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, stated that as of Friday, it had diverted 45 ships to “ensure compliance” with the imposed blockade.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth previously said the blockade would last “as long as necessary.” Meanwhile, the US’s top military officer, Gen Dan Caine, emphasised that the policy “applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading to or coming from Iranian ports.”
On the other side, Iran has asserted it will not ease pressure in the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US maintains the blockade on its ports.