Iran Navy Repels Pirate Attacks
Iran’s 33rd naval fleet has foiled pirate attacks on two Iranian tankers during the first days of its presence in the open waters and the Gulf of Aden.
The timely presence and action of the Iranian Navy’s 33rd Flotilla thwarted the attack by pirate speed boats, equipped with various weapons, on an Iranian oil tanker in the waters of the Gulf of Aden three days ago, forcing the pirates to flee the scene.
Five pirate speedboats had approached the Iranian tankers and were about to launch an assault on them.
The Iranian Navy’s 33rd flotilla of warships, which is comprised of martyr vice-admiral Naqdi destroyer and Bandar Abbas logistic warship for intelligence-gathering, operational and training missions, left Bandar Abbas port in Southern Iran for the Gulf of Aden late last month to protect the country’s cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates.
The Iranian Navy’s 32nd flotilla of warships ended its mission in the Gulf of Aden, and returned home mid January after thwarting 5 pirate attacks on the country’s oil tankers and cargo ships.
The 32nd flotilla, consisting of Jamaran and Bushehr destroyers, returned to Iran after 80 days of missions in the Sea of Oman, North of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea.
In recent years, Iran's Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.