Trump Says U.S. Navy ‘Like Pirates’ in Enforcing Sea Blockade of Iran

In this handout photo provided by U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. —Handout Photo by the U.S. Navy via Getty Images

President Donald Trump compared the U.S. Navy to pirates when describing how it was carrying out his orders to blockade Iranian ports. 

"We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil.