Navy repels pirate attack on Iranian oil tanker

The Islamic Republic’s naval forces have once again managed to thwart a pirate attack on an Iranian oil tanker off the coasts of Yemen and Oman, the commander of Iran’s Navy says.

On Monday, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the 30th fleet of Iran’s Navy — comprising Alvand destroyer and Bushehr logistic vessel — had recently engaged in clashes with the pirates and rescued the Iranian vessel off the coasts of Yemen and Oman.

According to Sayyari, the pirates attacked the oil tanker in nine boats equipped with heavy and semi-heavy weapons and attempted to hijack the ship, but Iranian naval forces rushed to the scene and chased off the assailants. The 30th fleet later berthed at the Omani port of Salalah following the incident.

Sayyari further stated that this was the fourth such rescue operation by the Iranian naval fleet since it was dispatched to the high seas earlier this year in line with the Islamic Republic’s policy to safeguard naval routes for its vessels.

The Navy’s 30th fleet has so far foiled three pirate attacks on Iranian oil tankers and a similar assault targeting an Indian vessel, added the Iranian commander.

In February, Sayyari said the country’s naval forces had successfully repelled over 150 pirate attacks on Iranian merchant vessels and oil tankers in the past four years.

In recent years, Iran 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 been also 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.