Tehran, Iran, Sept. 7
By Mehdi Sepahvand, Khalid Kazimov – Trend:
The 43rd flotilla of the Iranian Navy has set off for high seas to safeguard maritime routes used by vessels operating in international waters.
The deputy commander of Iranian Navy, Rear Admiral Gholam-Reza Khadem Bigham attended the ceremony for dispatching the flotilla – the biggest ever fleet in Iranian Navy – to high seas on Sept. 7 simultaneously with the return of the 42nd fleet, Young Journalists Club (YJC) reported.
The 43rd flotilla, consisting of Lavan logistic warship, Falakhan and Khanjar destroyers, Konarak logistic carrier, as well as an SH3D helicopter, left port city of Bandar Abbas Sept. 7 morning.
The flotilla will attend a ceremony in the Pakistani port city of Karachi before leaving for the Bab-el Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden.
Iranian Navy has increased its presence in international waters over the recent years with an aim to provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
On July 2, Iran’s Navy repelled pirate attacks against an Iranian oil tank. At least 115 pirates in 12 boats launched two attacks on an Iranian oil tank, but, they had to flee after the Navy’s 41st flotilla opened heavy fire.
The incident took place in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a checkpoint between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.