Iran’s Navy Foils 2 Pirate Attacks on Foreign Cargo Ships
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s naval forces saved two foreign cargo vessels from pirates in two separate operations in the Gulf of Aden, a military official announced.
Deputy Commander of Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi said the Navy’s 35th Fleet of warships was informed on Wednesday night of an attack by pirates on a foreign cargo ship.
The fleet, which was the closest military unit to the ship, managed to arrive at the scene in the right time, repelling the attackers using its heavy artillery, he noted.
Four hours later, he added, the pirates tried to attack another foreign cargo ship, but they were once again faced with the Iranian navy’s rapid reaction and fled towards Somalian coasts.
Six heavily equipped pirate boats attended the first attack and 12 boats took part in the second one, he stated, adding, however, that the cargo ships have not incurred any damages thanks to the Iranian fleet’s rapid reaction.
It was the Iranian Navy forces’ 188th battle with pirates attacking Iranian and non-Iranian oil tanks and cargo ships, the commander noted.
Comprising Bandar Abbas logistic warship and Alvand destroyer, the 35th fleet of warships had departed for the Gulf of Aden in late June.
The warships are on a mission to ensure security for the traffic of Iranian shipping lines in the region and protect the Islamic Republic's interests in high seas.
Since November 2008, the Iranian navy has conducted anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait to protect the country’s vessels against pirate attacks.
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 pirates and, after giving notice to Somali government, enter Somali territorial waters in pursuit of the pirates.