Summary
- Trump said the U.S. Navy’s seizure of Iranian ships and confiscation of oil was “a very profitable business.”
- The Trump administration said it would continue the port blockade aimed at tightening pressure on the Iranian regime’s war funding.
- It said the blockade applies to all ships traveling to and from Iranian ports, keeping tensions alive as Iran claims the move violates international law.
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‘We confiscated all the oil. It’s a very profitable business.’
President Donald Trump is facing controversy after calling the U.S. Navy’s seizure of vessels leaving Iranian ports an act akin to piracy.
At an event in Florida on May 1, Trump referred to the operation by saying the U.S. was “like pirates,” according to AFP and other foreign media reports.
“We’re like pirates. We’re somewhat like pirates, but this is no joke,” he said. “We took control of the ships and confiscated all the cargo and oil. It’s a very profitable business.” The comments drew cheers from the audience.
Earlier, Trump ordered a blockade of Iranian ports after talks with Iran in Pakistan ended without meaningful results. U.S. forces then seized some vessels attempting to leave the waters carrying crude oil and other cargo. Iran argues that the U.S. port blockade and vessel seizures violate international law.
The Trump administration has said it will keep the blockade in place to choke off the Iranian regime’s war funding. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade would continue as long as necessary. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said the measure applies to all ships traveling to and from Iranian ports.
Park Su-rim, Hankyung.com reporter paksr365@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.
