Iran destroyer patrolling entrance to Bab al-Mandab: Cmdr.
Iran’s Alborz destroyer is patrolling the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, the Iranian Navy chief says.
Iranian Navy's 34th flotilla, which comprises the Bushehr logistic vessel and Alborz destroyer, left Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas for the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait on April 8.
“Iran’s Alborz destroyer is patrolling the entrance to the Bab al-Mandab Strait,” Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Thursday, adding, “The 34th flotilla of the Iranian Navy is present in the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.”
The top commander said the Navy's flotilla patrol the area to protect cargo ships, Sayyari stressed, saying, "The flotilla has not trespassed on the waters of any country."
“We are present in the high seas based on international rules and are patrolling [the waters] and defending our national and economic interests, i.e. our cargo ships,” the Navy chief said.
Sayyari said the flotilla would be present in the strategic region until July 11, and then the 35th flotilla of the Iranian Navy leaves for the area.
In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.
Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.
IA/NN/HMV
Five volunteer security forces killed in terrorist attack in southeast Iran
Top Iranian, Saudi military brass discuss defense diplomacy
Iran lauds Pakistani army’s strikes against terrorist hideouts along border
VIDEO | UN rapporteur for occupied Palestinian territories visits UK
VIDEO | Palestinian Bedouin communities struggle amid Israel's settlement expansion
VIDEO | British activist on hunger strike for Gaza
VIDEO | Turkey under pressure to cut off oil supplies to Israel
Iran warns US against resumption of ‘maximum pressure’ policy
Israeli strikes kill 28 people in Lebanon
Hezbollah strikes major Israeli air force base for first time
Iran authorizes imports and sale of unleaded gasoline at free prices
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
