Somali pirates hijack Iranian vessel, hold crew

Reported here:

Iran says pirates off the coast of Somalia have struck to hijack an Iranian vessel, holding its 29 crewmembers onboard hostage.

Deputy Managing Director for Maritime Affairs Saeed Izadian said an Iranian fishing vessel was attacked in free waters by Somali pirates on Sunday.

"A number of armed men off the coast of Somalia hijacked this Iranian vessel," Izadian said Tuesday.

The Iranian official put the number of crewmembers held hostage at 29, explaining further that pirates have not yet asked for a ransom in exchange for the release of the ship and its crew.

"The Somali pirates have currently taken refuge in their hideouts; we have so far received 2 dispatched messages form the pirates [with the help of which] we have tracked them down," Izadian added.