Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy was acting “like pirates” as it enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports during the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Speaking on Friday, Trump referenced the recent seizure of a vessel by U.S. forces, portraying it as both strategic and economically beneficial.
“We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business,” he said. “We’re like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates, but we are not playing games.”
U.S. forces have in recent days intercepted and seized multiple vessels linked to Iran, including tankers and sanctioned cargo ships operating in Asian waters after departing Iranian ports.
The remarks come amid escalating maritime restrictions tied to the conflict. Iran has effectively halted most transit through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only its own vessels to pass, while Washington has imposed a parallel blockade targeting Iranian ports.
The war began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. The conflict has since expanded, with Israeli strikes also reported in Lebanon.
Thousands have been killed and millions displaced across the region, according to multiple estimates, as the fighting continues to intensify.
The disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows — has driven volatility in energy markets and raised concerns over global supply.
Trump’s comments are likely to fuel further controversy at home and abroad. The war remains unpopular among many Americans, and the president has drawn criticism for increasingly aggressive rhetoric, including a recent threat to destroy Iran’s “entire civilization.”
Some U.S. legal experts have also warned that aspects of the military campaign, particularly potential targeting of civilian infrastructure, could raise serious concerns under international law.