“An Iranian oil tanker which had been attacked by pirates was rescued by the Navy's 27th Fleet in the Gulf of Aden,” said Iran Navy Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Siavash Jarreh on Sunday.

According to Jarreh, the oil tanker was twice attacked by pirates late on Saturday and Sunday morning, but they failed in their attempts to hijack the vessel and fled the scene after the 27th Fleet intervened and thwarted the attacks.

The vessel was not damaged in the incident, said the Iranian commander, adding, “After the pirates fled, the Iranian oil tanker was escorted by the Navy’s fleet … to its destination.”

“The 27th Fleet consisting of the Sabalan destroyer and the Kharg helicopter carrier has been dispatched to the north of Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. It recently succeeded in rescuing Yemeni boats from pirates and is now patrolling the Gulf of Aden and the waters of the Indian Ocean,” Jarreh said.

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 the 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.

HH/HH