Honestly, it’s getting intense out there. According to CCTV News, on May 3rd, a super-large oil tanker belonging to the Iranian National Oil Company successfully evaded the US Navy’s tracking. The tanker, carrying over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil (valued at nearly $220 million), is currently navigating through the Lombok Strait in Indonesia, heading towards the Riau Islands.
On May 1st, the US Central Command announced that the US military continues to patrol international waters and enforce a maritime blockade against Iran.
The US has so far intercepted 45 commercial vessels, ordering them to turn back or return to port to ensure compliance with the restrictions. The blockade is still ongoing.
On May 3rd, the Deputy Director of the Iranian Trade Promotion Organization revealed that Iran is exploring over 8 alternative trade routes to bypass the southern maritime threats.
According to CCTV News, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi slammed US President Trump, saying he “shamelessly boasts” about the US acting like “pirates” and directly acknowledges the “criminal nature” of their actions.
Mousavi wrote on social media: “The US President openly describes the illegal seizure of Iranian ships as ‘piracy’ and shamelessly boasts that ‘we act like pirates.’ This is not a slip of the tongue, but a direct and unequivocal admission of the criminal nature of their actions against international maritime navigation.”
Mousavi urged the international community, UN member states, and the UN Secretary-General to strongly resist any attempts to normalize the violation of international law.
On May 1st, Trump said in a speech at the Palm Beach Forum Club in Florida that the US Navy had intercepted and boarded an Iranian-linked oil tanker, seizing the oil and cargo, and called it a “very profitable business.” Trump said: “Who would have thought we’d do that? We’re like pirates.”
According to the US side, Iran has dropped its demand for the US to lift the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz before face-to-face talks between the two countries’ representatives.
Iranian officials revealed that Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before the US announces the end of the blockade. However, they emphasized that Iran will not discuss nuclear issues with the US until a permanent ceasefire is achieved.
