Baku, Azerbaijan, June 22
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
The 35th flotilla of the Iranian Navy, including Bandar Abbas logistic vessel and Alvand destroyer left Iran 's southern port city of Bandar Abbas for Gulf of Aden on June 22.
The fleet will replace the 34th navy flotilla in the region, which docked at Bandar Abbas port the same day after conducting 73-day mission in the Indian Ocean, Sea of Oman and the Gulf of Aden, Iran 's Fars news agency reported.
Iranian officials say the country dispatches naval fleets to international waters in the Northern Indian Ocean to defend the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against the continued attacks by pirates.
Earlier in April the Islamic Republic's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that the Iranian navy would continue its presence in the Gulf of Aden despite some objections.
"Rumors 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 Iranian ships and we will remain there to safeguard our ships' security," he underlined.
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.
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.
In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008.
Edited by CN
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