Iran's Navy says the country's naval mission in the dangerous waters of the Gulf of Aden is actively and independently countering piracy and guarding commercial ships, Press TV reported.
Special Naval forces remain deployed in the pirate-infested regions in line with efforts to secure shipping routes stretching from the Gulf of Aden, close to the Ban-el-Mandeb, and parts the Red Sea, Commander of Iran's Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told IRIB
"The latest attack that the pirates launched on an Islamic Republic [operated] ship occurred last week [involving] the oil tanker 'Haraz'," the top Iranian official added.
"An Iranian destroyer, 'Alvand,' fought off the pirates and opened fire ... the pirates were forced to flee and the vessel concluded its journey safely."
Hailing the country's navy as the "strongest" and the best equipped and staffed force in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, he stressed that Iran and littoral states around the two bodies of water did not need outside help in safeguarding the region.
"In the Gulf of Aden, 25 to 30 countries are busy patrolling to secure the shipping routes," Sayyari said, adding that while those navies are under NATO command, "the Islamic Republic of Iran is among the countries that work independently."
The remarks come one day after Iran conducted joint naval drills with Oman in the north of the Omani Sultan Qaboos Port.
Four Omani vessels, two fighter planes and one coastal helicopter, as well as four Iranian surface vessels participated in the drills.
The naval drill was aimed at enhancing readiness for providing relief services, rescue operations, and the level of regional cooperation and exchanging experience, Iran's Armed Forces Headquarters announced on Wednesday.