IRI Navy saves cargo ship from pirates

IRI Navy warships have foiled two pirate attacks on an Iranian cargo vessel close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, off the coast of Somalia in the Horn of Africa. The Iranian freighter first came under attack on Sunday after 40 armed people on board six skiffs approached the ship at high speed some 115 nautical miles northwest of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Iranian warships patrolling the area rushed to assist the cargo vessel upon its distress call, which reported an unauthorized boarding attempt by several people. Iranian Navy marines thwarted the attack by opening fire on the pirates. Pirates later launched another attack on the Iranian vessel some 155 nautical miles northwest of the strait. However, they were repelled again and forced to leave the area. In line with international efforts against piracy, Iran's Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard maritime trade and in particular ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.