Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a US attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, describing it as “maritime piracy,” and a grave violation of international law.

Axar.az informs, citing IRNA, that the ministry issued a statement on Tuesday, a day after the US military targeted and seized Iranian container ship Touska near Iran’s southern coastline.

The statement denounced the operation as an act of “maritime piracy” and “terrorism,” saying it involved intimidation of the ship’s crew and their families.

The attack, according to the ministry, “not only contravenes the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law but also represents a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement enforced on April 8, and an act of aggression against the Islamic Republic.”

It also warned of “extremely dangerous consequences” resulting from “the US’s criminal and unlawful act”, stressing the need for the immediate release of the vessel, its crew, and their families.

Concluding the statement, the ministry emphasized that Iran would use “all available capacities” to defend its national security and interests, and safeguard the rights and dignity of its citizens, while holding the United States fully responsible for any further escalation in the region.

It is noted that U.S. forces seized an Iranian cargo ship on April 20, saying it had attempted to violate a maritime blockade.