Iran Accuses US of Piracy and Aggression in Sea Attack on Commercial Vessel

In a formal letter to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council president, Iran’s ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani accused the United States of conducting a hostile and illegal attack near Iranian waters in the Sea of Oman. The incident involved US military forces targeting the commercial vessel Touska on April 19, using coercion, intimidation, and posing a significant risk to the crew.

According to Iran, this action constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, including the prohibition of aggression, and is akin to piracy. Iravani also noted that the attack violated an existing ceasefire agreement from April 8 and is considered an act of aggression under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974), potentially threatening regional and global peace.

Iran strongly rejects and condemns this US action, calling on the Security Council and secretary-general to take immediate and principled measures. These include explicitly condemning the attack, ensuring full accountability for those responsible, and compelling the United States to release the vessel, its crew, their families, and all affected individuals unconditionally.

The ambassador requested that his letter be registered and circulated as an official document of the Security Council. This development highlights ongoing tensions between Iran and the US in international waters and underscores the potential implications for regional stability.