Iran has issued a stern warning of reciprocal action should its vessels be seized, escalating maritime tensions with the United States. Mohammad Dehghan, the legal adviser to Iran’s President, conveyed this message through state media on Thursday, marking a stark response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent actions against Iranian fuel shipments.
Earlier this month, the Department of Justice announced the seizure of over 500,000 barrels of Iranian fuel, a move aimed at disrupting the financing network of the Revolutionary Guards. This action signifies a tightening of U.S. sanctions against Iran, targeting the economic lifelines that support Iran’s military activities.
Dehghan’s statement underscores the heightened state of alert, “If an Iranian ship is seized, we will reciprocate, and the legal way is not closed in this regard,” he declared, signaling Iran’s readiness to engage in tit-for-tat actions against what it perceives as provocative measures. However, Dehghan did not confirm any specific instances of U.S. authorities seizing Iranian vessels, leaving room for speculation on the immediate triggers for his declaration.
The legal adviser’s remarks also hint at Iran’s past tactics of detaining foreign tankers, actions often justified by court orders from Iran’s judicial system and carried out by the Revolutionary Guards. These measures have contributed to the complex web of maritime security issues that plague international waters, particularly in strategic chokepoints like the Red Sea.
Complicating the maritime security landscape are the activities of Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen, who have targeted shipping lanes in the Red Sea. These actions, purportedly in support of the Palestinian Hamas group’s conflict with Israel, have added another layer of instability to global shipping routes, impacting the flow of commerce and escalating regional tensions.
Iran’s latest pronouncement is a clear signal of its intention to defend its maritime interests aggressively, highlighting the ongoing standoff with the United States over sanctions and regional security issues.
