Iran Navy foils pirate attack on tanker
The Iranian Navy successfully on Saturday thwarted a pirate attack on an oil tanker in vicinity of Bab-el-Mandeb Strait near the Gulf of Aden.
The pirates in 12 boats comprising of 115 armed people attempted to seize the Iranian oil tanker, but they were overpowered after Iran's domestically-manufactured Shaheed Naqdi destroyer was called in and opened heavy fire on the pirates.
Three hours later, the pirates, who were equipped with different types of weapons, once again attempted to attack the Iranian oil tankers, but the 41st fleet of the Iranian Navy forced them to flee.
The 41st fleet of the Iranian Navy, consisting of Lavan logistic warship and Shaheed Naqdi destroyer, then escorted the oil tanker to the safe zone.
In recent years, Iran’s Navy has expanded its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.
Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.
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