Iranian Navy Turned Back Pirates Attempt To Capture Russian Ship

29.09.2011 Fleet of Iranian patrol ships hindered pirates' attempt to hijack a Russian-flagged vessel.

Speaking at the press conference in Iranian southern port of Bushehr, Director-General of the Port and Maritime Organization of Bushehr province Mohammad Rastad said Iranian Navy warships deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy tasks had not only secured navigation of Iranian cargo ships but also protected vessels of other countries.

He added that a Russian ship also asked for Iran's help while being attacked by pirates; Iranian fleet immediately rushed to render assistance and managed to repel pirates' assault.

The Russian vessel did not call for aid of any naval assets deployed in the region except for Iranian ones, emphasized Rastad.

According to him, Iran's strong naval presence in that area has resulted in considerable reduction of pirate attacks upon Iranian vessels.

On Sept 27, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari thanked national armed forces for successful countering Somali pirates and providing safe navigation for Iranian and foreign cargo ships and oil tankers.

Speaking to FNA news agency, he stressed once again that since the time Iranian Navy started patrols in regional waters, it had repelled all pirate attacks on Iranian cargo ships and oil tankers.

Iranian Navy has been attending anti-piracy campaign in the Gulf of Aden since Nov 2008 when Somali pirates hijacked Iranian-leased cargo ship MV Delight off Yemen.

In accordance with UN Security Council's resolutions, any country may dispatch its naval forces to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and enter Somali territorial waters with prior notice to its government in order to pursuit pirates. Gulf of Aden connects the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal; it is an important energy corridor for Persian Gulf oil deliveries to the West.