Trump Praises Maritime Piracy in Iran War, Sparks Legal Debate

President Trump publicly boasted that U.S. forces have 'taken over' cargo and oil from seized ships, likening operations to piracy, as Washington enforces maritime blockades in the Iran conflict; legal scholars warn such blockades lack a solid basis under international law and risk violating the War Powers Act, while the war's near-term costs run from $25–$100 billion and could exceed $1 trillion long-term.