Iranian warships repel pirates' attack in Bab Al-Mandab

A sum of 11 pirate boats attacked an Iranian cargo ship in Bab al-Mandab Strait and tried to hijack it, but they received a harsh response from Iran's 44th fleet of warships that had rushed to the trade vessel's rescue. 

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced in November that his forces deployed in the high seas have escorted 3,844 cargo ships and oil tankers so far. 

"Since insecurities started due to piracy in the Gulf of Aden, we have been continuously present in the region of turmoil and have escorted 3,844 oil tankers and cargo ships in the danger zone," Admiral Sayyari said. 

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, when Somali raiders hijacked the Iranian-chartered cargo ship, MV Delight, off the coast of Yemen. 

According to UN Security Council resolutions, different countries can send their warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia against the pirates and even with prior notice to Somali government enter the territorial waters of that country in pursuit of Somali sea pirates. 

The Gulf of Aden - which links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea - is an important energy corridor, particularly because Persian Gulf oil is shipped to the West via the Suez Canal.