Iran Navy rescues Iranian vessel from pirate attack

Iran’s 30th fleet of warships has successfully rescued an Iranian vessel hit with pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden.

Iranian Navy commander rear admiral Habibollah Sayyari was quoted by the Press TV as saying that the 30th fleet of the Iranian Navy rescued an Iranian ship from pirates in the vicinity of Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

"Escorted by the 30th fleet of the Navy, the Iranian vessel sailed through the danger zone unscathed and continued on its path," Sayyari added.

Initially, pirates launched eight armed speed boats, equipped with light and semi-heavy assault weapons, to take on the vessel. The navy’s special operation team thwarted the pirates.

Pirates launched an attack again for the second time with 15 boats; however, it was unsuccessful due to the naval unit’s prompt reaction.

"The assailants were forced to leave following exchange of fire," Sayyari noted.

The 30th fleet of the Iranian Navy, which comprises Alvand destroyer and Bushehr logistic vessel, also thwarted pirate attacks against Indian tanker in the Red Sea during early May.

Sailing across the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean, the 30th fleet is tasked with protecting Iranian vessels against pirate attacks in several shipping routes.

Corresponding to international efforts aimed at combating piracy, the Iranian Navy has also executing anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to protect the vessels involved in maritime trade, mainly vessels and oil tankers that are owned or leased by Iran.