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Iran’s navy to not withdraw from Gulf of Aden

Politics Materials 26 April 2015 13:14 (UTC +04:00)
The Iranian navy will continue its presence in the Gulf of Aden
Iran’s navy to not withdraw from Gulf of Aden

Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 26

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

The Iranian navy will continue its presence in the Gulf of Aden, the Islamic Republic's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.

"Rumours and protests wouldn't force Iran's navy to leave its mission in the Gulf of Aden," said Sayyari.

"The gulf is a route of the Iranian ships and we will remain there to safeguard our ships' security," the commander said, Iran's IRIB news agency reported Apr. 26.

He also dismissed the reports that the US warships in the region have warned the Iranian destroyers.

"No warning was made against the Iranian navy by a US aircraft carrier," Sayyari said, adding, "The Islamic Republic's navy has the right for presence in the high seas under the international laws."

"We don't allow anyone to inspect the Iranian military ships," he added.

Earlier some media outlets quoted the US officials as saying the Iranian ships turned away from Yemen on Apr. 23 and continued to move northeast on Apr. 24, back in the direction of Iran.

The commander also dismissed claims over Iran's providing military support to the Yemeni rebels.

Saudi Arabia and several Arab allies have imposed an air and naval blockade on Yemen as part of a one-month campaign to oust the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have taken most of the country and forced President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh.

The Gulf of Aden has been growing in sensitivity since the domestic crisis broke out in Yemen. Western media and Arab states claim Iran has a hand in the developments, but Tehran denies that.

Follow the author on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh

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