Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that US President Donald Trump’s threat to use seized Iranian assets to pay for repairs to ships damaged by strikes in the Strait of Hormuz would be an incendiary precedent.
According to a report by The Times of Israel on July 24, 2026, Araghchi emphasized that those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember once governments normalize confiscation no one’s assets are safe and the ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.
The minister’s comments come amid ongoing disputes involving maritime security and economic sanctions that have strained relations between Iran and the United States for years.
By framing the proposed action as a dangerous shift in policy Araghchi warns that it could set a harmful example for global diplomacy where asset seizures become routine tools rather than exceptional measures.
Such a move might encourage other nations to follow suit leading to widespread instability in financial systems and diplomatic channels worldwide.
Experts note that the Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical chokepoint for global oil transport making any incidents there particularly sensitive for energy markets and international trade.
Araghchi’s message on social media shows a call for restraint and adherence to established legal frameworks that protect state assets from arbitrary confiscation.
He suggests that profiting from these funds could backfire by eroding trust in international institutions designed to prevent exactly this kind of unilateral action…See More