Iran condemns US seizure of vessel carrying dialysis supplies

Iran’s mission to the United Nations on Friday condemned the reported US seizure of an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, stating that the ship was carrying critical dialysis supplies and medical equipment. “The US attack and illegal seizure of Iran’s commercial vessel ‘Toska,’ and the taking of its crew hostage on 19 April in the Sea of Oman — while carrying critical dialysis supplies and medical equipment — constitutes a flagrant breach of international law, including the peremptory prohibition of aggression, human rights and the right to life,” the mission wrote on the US-based social media platform X.

Humanitarian impact and accountability

The mission argued that the incident directly threatens civilian health and survival. “This coercive and unlawful act endangers lives, undermines freedom of navigation, and places vulnerable patients at grave risk. The perpetrators must be held accountable,” it said. Earlier this week, the mission sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council presidency addressing the issue.

UN expresses concern over Hormuz seizures

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Friday that the UN has “no particular information” on the ship’s cargo. “But what we have seen, and we’re concerned about, is continued seizures of vessels by both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US in the Strait,” Dujarric said. He added that the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having a humanitarian impact on Iran and other Gulf countries, urging the strait’s reopening.