Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 3
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iran's 33rd naval fleet has repelled pirate attacks against two Iranian oil tanks in the Gulf of Aden, Iran's Fars news agency reported Feb. 3.
A group of pirates on five speedboats approached an Iranian oil tank in the region, but had to flee after Iranian naval forces took swift action to thwart the assault.
Three days before another pirate group on four speedboats attacked to an Iranian oil tank near the Yemen's Al-Mukalla port. The attackers were forced to flee after a heavy armed response by Iran's 33rd naval fleet.
The Gulf of Aden, which links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, is the quickest route for thousands of vessels traveling annually between Asia, Europe and the Americas. Iranian naval forces foiled several pirate attacks against Iranian ships in the region during the past weeks.
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 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.
The Iranian Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its mission in international waters.
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