Navy Thwarts Pirate Attacks on Iranian Oil Tanker
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian Navy's 28th fleet of warships foiled pirate attacks on the country's oil tanker which had been besieged by pirates in the Indian Ocean, a senior navy commander said on Wednesday.
Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siavash Jareh announced on Wednesday that the country’s naval forces foiled a pirate attack against an Iranian oil tanker in the Indian Ocean earlier in the morning.
The Iranian forces managed to save the vessel and forced the pirates to escape the scene after exchange of fire, Jareh added.
According to the commander, the pirates in 12 speed boats wanted to approach the Iranian oil tanker but their plot ended in failure after the timely action by the Iranian naval forces.
Iranian Navy’s 28th fleet of warships, which has been deployed to the high seas since November 2013, is comprised of Alborz destroyer, Bandar Abbas logistic-combat warship, Younes heavy submarine and a Bell 212 Twin Huey helicopter.
Jareh had announced earlier that the 28th fleet is among the largest fleets that have ever been deployed to the high seas.
Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for trade vessels and oil tankers.
Since November 2008, the Iranian navy has conducted anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mendeb strait to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates.
Under the terms of several UN Security Council resolutions, nations can deploy warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia to protect their vessels against the pirates.