Tehran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reacted to a US attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, stating that blocking Iranian ports is a violation of the ceasefire. "Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire," Araghchi wrote on his X account on Tuesday. "Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation," he added. "Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying," he noted.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, earlier on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly condemning the US's actions, labeling them as piracy. The ministry stated that the attack "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 of Iran."

The Foreign Ministry urged the UN Secretary-General, the UN Security Council, the International Maritime Organization, and responsible governments to take a "firm and decisive" stance in response to "the criminal act" against international commercial shipping. The ministry also warned of "extremely dangerous consequences" resulting from "the US's criminal and unlawful act," emphasizing the need for the immediate release of the vessel, its crew, and their families.

Meanwhile, the Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), cautioned the United States against the seizure of the Iranian commercial vessel. They stated that the country's Armed Forces will soon retaliate against the American military's armed piracy. The IRGC criticized the US for further violating the ceasefire and engaging in maritime "piracy" by firing upon one of Iran's commercial ships in the Sea of Oman and disabling its navigation system.