Iranian fleet in open seas, forerunner of fight against maritime terrorism

Indian Ocean, Nov 11, IRNA – Commander of the 32th fleet of Iran's Navy in open seas said on Tuesday that the Iranian flotilla is harbinger of the fight against terrorism in international waters. Captain Hossein Sharifinasab told IRNA correspondent aboard the Iranian fleet that presence of the Iranian vessels in open seas safeguards national interests of the Islamic Republic in international waters. The 32nd fleet of Iran's Navy arrived in waters of the Indian Ocean on November 8 on its way to the Gulf of Aden. The fleet of warships, which includes the Jamaran destroyer and Bushehr logistic vessel, left Bandar Abbas in Hormuzgan Province on November 4. "Iran is the first country that positively responded to the call of the international bodies to take part in a campaign against maritime terrorism," Capitan Sharifinasab added. Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters in recent years to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers. The Iranian Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters. "Iran has successfully proved that it uses its strong military power only to defend its water borders and national interests in open seas and also to provide security for the regional and international waterways," said the Iranian captain. He added that regional states could easily safeguard security of the strategic waterways in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman through collective cooperation and without any foreign interference. He added that presence of foreign powers in the region would only lead to tension. The final destination of the Iranian flotilla is the Gulf of Aden in the Arabian Sea. The fleet is on a mission to safeguard Iran's interests in open seas by providing security for every commercial vessels or oil tankers sailing under the Iranian flag. It will also react to any possible pirate attacks against Iranian vessels. The Iranian flotilla sailed 1,315 km from Hormuz Strait, Sea of Oman and Masirah Island off the east coast of Oman before reaching the Indian Ocean. They will also help any foreign ship asking for emergency aid in the Gulf of Aden./end