Iran Denounces U.S. Navy Seizure of Iranian Cargo Ship Near Strait of Hormuz as Piracy

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:05:00 +0200

Iran has sharply condemned the U.S. Navy’s seizure of an Iranian‑flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Washington of committing an act of piracy and violating a fragile ceasefire. According to U.S. Central Command, American forces opened fire on the ship after it attempted to enter Iranian waters near Bandar Abbas in apparent breach of a U.S.‑imposed maritime blockade on Iranian ports. The operation follows a broader U.S. strategy to restrict Iran’s access to the strategic waterway, aimed at exerting pressure over ongoing regional tensions. Iran’s military command, Khatam al‑Anbiya, has warned of a “befitting response,” signaling possible retaliatory measures that could escalate existing hostilities. Tehran argues that the blockade and the ship seizure infringe on international law and freedom of navigation in key global shipping lanes. The incident arrives amid renewed diplomatic uncertainty after a brief ceasefire, raising concerns about renewed conflict in the Persi