Iran: U.S. Seizure Near Venezuela Is ‘Piracy in the Caribbean’

According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, In a statement issued Thursday, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Venezuela described the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan tanker in the Caribbean Sea as “illegal and lacking any legal basis,” characterizing it as a blatant violation of international laws and regulations, particularly the principle of freedom of the seas and navigation.

“The illegal action by the U.S. government in seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea without any legitimate or legal reason constitutes a gross breach of international law, including the inviolable principle of freedom of the seas,” the statement said.

The Embassy added that “piracy in the Caribbean” is the most accurate description of Washington’s conduct, accusing the United States of pursuing its objectives through unlawful measures, violating national sovereignty, infringing on the rights of others, and promoting disorder.

The statement concluded by expressing solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela in defending their national sovereignty and legitimate rights, while condemning what it called a clear violation of fundamental international norms.

Venezuela’s government also issued a statement, calling the tanker seizure “an act of outright piracy and a criminal operation,” describing it as part of a “systematic U.S. plan to seize Venezuela’s oil.” Caracas said it will take the matter to international bodies.

On Wednesday night, sources told Bloomberg that U.S. forces had seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.

U.S. President Donald Trump later confirmed that the United States had seized a “very large” tanker near Venezuelan waters.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed the vessel was being used “to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.”