Iran's Red Crescent: US-pirated ship carried vital kidney dialysis supplies
The Iranian Red Crescent Society says a commercial vessel pirated by US forces near Iran's coastline in the Sea of Oman was carrying vital raw materials needed to produce medical supplies for kidney dialysis patients, warning that disruption of the shipment could threaten lives.
The US forces targeted the vessel on Sunday in a blatant act of piracy, boarding the ship and disabling its navigation systems.
The supplies belong to Saha Medical Equipment Company, a subsidiary of the Iranian Red Crescent, the organization said in a statement on Thursday.
Part of the ship's cargo, it said, consisted of raw materials required to produce consumable medical supplies for dialysis patients.
"Any disruption in the supply of these critical items could directly threaten the health and lives of patients in need of dialysis services," the Red Crescent warned.
The Red Crescent added that the US action, which it said created threats and intimidation and endangered the lives of civilian crew members, contradicted fundamental principles of humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction and precaution in military operations.
It said the act could violate international obligations regarding the maintenance of peace and stability and could be examined as an instance of unlawful use of force under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974).
Iranian forces struck back immediately following the US operation, targeting several American military vessels in the area with drone attacks, according to Iran's military.
The armed forces of the Islamic Republic were ready to deal decisively with the American aggressor forces, but the presence of sailors' families aboard the targeted Iranian cargo ship prevented immediate action, as ensuring the safety of civilians took precedence over retaliation, Tehran stated.
The military added that as soon as the safety of the families and crew was assured, Iran's armed forces would take necessary action against what it called the terrorist US Army.
On Wednesday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy said it had intercepted and transferred to Iranian territorial waters a ship linked to Israel and another vessel for committing violations in the Strait of Hormuz.
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