Iran blasts illegal US seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker
Tehran - BORNA - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks a day after armed US soldiers confiscated the vessel, identified as the Skipper.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi argued that the tanker had been sanctioned by Washington for multiple years over its alleged “involvement in an illicit oil shipping network”.
Baghaei said, “Invoking US domestic laws and unlawful sanctions to justify such an action can in no way alter the illegal and criminal nature of the ‘armed robbery at sea.’”
He warned about the repercussions that such coercive behavior will have on international peace, security, and trade, underscoring the responsibility of all governments and international institutions to oppose such unlawful actions and hold the US accountable.
“The United States’ seizure and confiscation of commercial vessels belonging to other countries constitute a blatant disregard for international law and a gross violation of the principles governing the security and safety of international navigation,” the spokesman added.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed the US seizure of the oil tanker as an act of “naval piracy” that escalated tensions between Washington and Caracas.
“They kidnapped the crew, stole the ship and have inaugurated a new era, the era of criminal naval piracy in the Caribbean,” he said, noting that his country “will secure all ships to guarantee the free trade of its oil around the world.”
Additionally, the Venezuelan government said in a statement that the true reason behind the US threats against Venezuela has always been “our natural resources, our oil, our energy”.
Senior American lawmakers also denounced the US’s seizure of the Venezuelan oil tanker. Democratic Senator Chris Coons said he was alarmed at the actions of US President Donald Trump, who is “sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela.”
Trump has accused Venezuela of facilitating drug trafficking, and increased the US military posture in the Caribbean Sea.
Meanwhile, US forces have conducted a wave of lethal strikes on suspected drug boats and killed more than 80 people since September.
Caracas says the US is seeking a “regime change” in Venezuela with the ultimate goal of seizing the country’s oil resources.
Late on Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on three nephews of Maduro’s wife, as well as six crude oil supertankers and the shipping companies linked to them.
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