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Monday, July 07, 2014

Iran and the Pirates of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and so forth

What follows are a series of reports from FARS News, an Iranian news channel on the success of the Iranian Navy in fight pirates. Compare and contrast:

Oct 6, 2013: Navy Thwarts Pirate Attacks on Iranian Oil Tanker
An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian oil tanker in international waters was foiled by the timely action of the Iranian warships present in the region.

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh announced that the Navy's 27th fleet of warship saved the Iranian tanker from pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden.

"The Iranian oil tanker was attacked by a pirate boat last night but their devilish act failed due to the timely action of the 27th flotilla of warships and the pirates fled the scene," he added.

Yet, the admiral said, the pirates returned after reinvigorating their forces on eight boats but the Iranian fleet of warships rushed to the scene and forced pirates to flee by staging successful defensive operations and a heavy firepower, he added.

"The Iranian oil tanker was escorted by the Navy flotilla through the waterway and it continued its path towards its destination fully safely," Jarreh said.

In relevant remarks late September, a senior Iranian Commander said that the Iranian fleets of warships deployed in the Gulf of Aden have escorted a total number of 1,538 cargo ships and oil tankers during their mission in the waterway.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy has escorted 1,538 cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden so far," Commander of the Iranian Army's 4th Naval Zone Admiral Khordad Hakimi told FNA in the Northern port city of Anzali.

He also said that pirates' attempts to hijack 112 cargo ships and oil tankers in international waters have been aborted due to the timely action of the Iranian warships deployed in the region.

Oct 12, 2013: Navy Repels Pirates' Attack on Iranian LNG Carrying Vessel:
An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian vessel carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) near the Gulf of Aden off the coasts of Somalia, was foiled by the timely action of the Iranian warships present in the region.

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh said armed pirates on a speedboat attacked an Iranian vessel carrying LNG on Friday, but they had to flee after Iranian naval forces took swift action to repel their attack.

The commander added that the incident happened at Ras Al Mukalla near the Gulf of Aden.

He said the Iranian vessel, escorted by the Navy’s 27th fleet, safely continued with its journey.

On Sunday, Admiral Jarreh announced that the Navy's 27th fleet of warship saved the Iranian tanker from pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden.

Yet, the admiral said, the pirates returned after reinvigorating their forces on eight boats but the Iranian fleet of warships rushed to the scene and forced pirates to flee by staging successful defensive operations and a heavy firepower.

"The Iranian oil tanker was escorted by the Navy flotilla through the waterway and it continued its path towards its destination fully safely," Admiral Jarreh said.
Oct 20, 2013: Iranian Navy Warships Repel Pirate Attack on LPG Vessel:
An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian vessel carrying Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) near the Gulf of Aden off the coasts of Somalia, was foiled by the timely action of the Iranian warships present in the region, a Navy commander announced on Sunday, warning that pirate attacks against Iranian vessels have increased.

"This morning, the brave forces of the 27th fleet of warships succeeded in saving the LPG-carrying Iranian ship named BOOTANON after a few hours of clashes with the pirates," Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh said on Sunday.

He said that the Iranian vessel was attacked by 8 pirate boats as it was passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but the timely action of the Iranian flotilla of warships saved the vessel.

Jarreh voiced the concern that pirate attacks on Iranian vessels have recently increased in the Gulf of Aden.

In relevant remarks late September, Commander of the Iranian Army's 4th Naval Zone Admiral Khordad Hakimi told FNA in the Northern port city of Anzali, "The Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy has escorted 1,538 cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden so far."

He also said that pirates' attempts to hijack 112 cargo ships and oil tankers in international waters have been aborted due to the timely action of the Iranian warships deployed in the region.

Hakimi referred to the presence of the Iranian Navy's 27th flotilla of warships in the high seas to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates, and said the flotilla which is comprised of the Khark helicopter carrier and Sabalan destroyer has berthed in Sudan.

He called the Iranian Navy as an influential force, and said, "The Navy enjoys effective power in safeguarding domestic and international interests."

The Iranian Navy in August dispatched its 27th flotilla of warships to the high seas to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates.
Nov 10, 2013: Iranian Cargo Ships Rescued by Navy Warships in Gulf of Aden:
A number of cargo vessels voyaging the Gulf of Aden were saved from pirates’ attacks by the Iranian flotilla of warships deployed in the region, a Navy commander announced on Sunday.

“The pirates attacked the Iranian cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden in two stages during the last three days,” Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh said.

“In the first stage, 12 speed boats belonging to the pirates, attacked Tour 2 oil tanker near the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea but they fled the scene after the timely action of the Navy’s special operational forces and the escort team,” he added.

Jarreh said that an Iranian oil tanker and a bulk carrier were also rescued yesterday and today, respectively by the swift reaction the Iranian warships and their heavy firepower.

Senior Iranian Navy commanders have said that they normally shoot warning shots to scare off pirates in such scenes since they do not intend to inflict casualties on them, adding that they have almost always been successful in doing so. "But we would take tougher action if we need to," they added.

In relevant remarks late September, Commander of the Iranian Army's 4th Naval Zone Admiral Khordad Hakimi told FNA in the Northern port city of Anzali, "The Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy has escorted 1,538 cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden so far."

He also said that pirates' attempts to hijack 112 cargo ships and oil tankers in international waters have been aborted due to the timely action of the Iranian warships deployed in the region.

Hakimi referred to the presence of the Iranian Navy's 27th flotilla of warships in the high seas to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates, and said the flotilla which is comprised of the Khark helicopter carrier and Sabalan destroyer has berthed in Sudan.

He called the Iranian Navy as an influential force, and said, "The Navy enjoys effective power in safeguarding domestic and international interests."
Jan 8, 2014: Navy Thwarts Pirate Attacks on Iranian Oil Tanker:
An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian oil tanker in international waters was foiled by the timely action of the Iranian warships present in the region.

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh announced on Wednesday that the Navy's 28th fleet of warship saved the Iranian tanker from pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden.

"The Iranian oil tanker was attacked by 12 pirate boats this morning but they failed due to the timely action of the 28th flotilla of warships and the pirates fled the scene," he added.

The admiral underlined that the Iranian oil tanker was escorted by the Navy flotilla through the waterway and continued its path towards its destination fully safely.

In relevant remarks last month, a senior Iranian commander praised the exceptionally good performance of the country's naval forces for maintaining security to the international waters by escorting thousands of vessels in the high seas.

“In the last three years, around 3,000 cargo ships and oil tankers have been escorted by the Navy’s commandos and vessels,” Commander of the Iranian Navy’s Missile Program Admiral Ali Vafadar told FNA in December.

He also said that pirates' attempts to hijack 147 cargo ships and oil tankers in international waters have been aborted due to the timely action of the Iranian warships deployed in the region.

Vafadar said that the Iranian naval forces have also managed to seize control of a number of pirate boats and vessels, arrest their crews and transferred them to Iran to stand trial for their crimes.
Jan 10, 2014: Navy Thwarts Pirate Attack on Iranian Cargo Ship:
An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian cargo ship in international waters was foiled by the timely action of the Iranian warships present in the region.

“Iranian freighter came under attack in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday morning after several armed people on board eight boats approached the ship,” Senior Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said.
Looks like a Spanish Galicia class LPD to me

The admiral noted that the pirates fled the scene when the Iranian Navy warships arrived there.

In a similar incident, the Navy saved an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh announced on Wednesday that the Navy's 28th fleet of warship saved the Iranian tanker from pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden.

"The Iranian oil tanker was attacked by 12 pirate boats this morning but they failed due to the timely action of the 28th flotilla of warships and the pirates fled the scene," he added.

The admiral underlined that the Iranian oil tanker was escorted by the Navy flotilla through the waterway and continued its path towards its destination fully safely.

In relevant remarks last month, a senior Iranian commander praised the exceptionally good performance of the country's naval forces for maintaining security to the international waters by escorting thousands of vessels in the high seas.

“In the last three years, around 3,000 cargo ships and oil tankers have been escorted by the Navy’s commandos and vessels,” Commander of the Iranian Navy’s Missile Program Admiral Ali Vafadar told FNA in December.(best part of this particular "article" is the use of the nearby photo to illustrate it - some of you might recognize that ship - and it is not Iranian)
Feb 22, 2014: Navy Thwarts Pirate Attacks on Iranian Trade Vessel in Red Sea:
An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian cargo vessel in international waters was foiled by the timely action of Iran’s warships present in the region.

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh announced on Saturday that the Navy’s 29th fleet of warships saved the Iranian trade vessel from pirate attacks in the Red Sea.

"The Iranian cargo vessel was attacked by 7 pirate boats this morning, but they failed due to the timely action of the 29th flotilla of warships, which made the pirates flee the scene," he added.

The Admiral underlined that the Iranian cargo ship was, then, escorted by the Navy flotilla through the waterway and continued its path towards its destination fully safely.

In relevant remarks in December, a senior Iranian commander praised the exceptionally good performance of the country’s naval forces for maintaining security to the international waters by escorting thousands of vessels in the high seas.

“In the last three years, around 3,000 cargo ships and oil tankers have been escorted by the Navy’s commandos and vessels,” Commander of the Iranian Navy’s Missile Program Admiral Ali Vafadar told FNA at the time.

He also said that pirates' attempts to hijack 147 cargo ships and oil tankers in international waters have been aborted due to the timely action of the Iranian warships deployed in the region.
Mar 4, 2014: Navy Thwarts Pirate Attack on Iranian Oil Tanker in Red Sea:
An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian oil tanker in international waters was foiled by the timely action of Iran’s warships present in the region.

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced on Tuesday that the Navy’s 29th fleet of warships has saved the Iranian oil tanker from the pirate attacks in the Red Sea.

“Two groups of pirates who were attempting to attack an Iranian oil tanker in Bab El-Mandeb Strait faced the Navy’s 29th Flotilla which is present in the Red Sea and fled the scene,” Admiral Sayyari said.

The Admiral underlined that the Iranian oil tanker was, then, escorted by the Navy flotilla through the waterway and continued its path towards its destination fully safely.

Last month, Admiral Sayyari announced that his forces have foiled tens of attacks by international pirates on the country’s cargo ships and oil tankers.

He noted that the Iranian Navy warships have escorted some 2,000 merchant vessels and freighters in the same period.

In relevant remarks in December, a senior Iranian commander praised the exceptionally good performance of the country's naval forces for maintaining security to the international waters by escorting thousands of vessels in the high seas.

“In the last three years, around 3,000 cargo ships and oil tankers have been escorted by the Navy’s commandos and vessels,” Commander of the Iranian Navy’s Missile Program Admiral Ali Vafadar told FNA.
June 28, 2014: Iranian Warships Rescue Oil Tanker in Red Sea:
Iranian Navy warships rescued an oil tanker from a pirate attack in the Red Sea.

An Iranian oil tanker came under attack by eight pirate boats, but the vessel was rescued due to the timely action of the Iranian Navy warships, the Navy's Public Relations Office reported on Saturday.

The Iranian vessel was then escorted to a safe zone by the Iranian fleet.

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.

All photos from the FARS News Agency website. I highlighted some interesting -um- variations.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:29 AM

    I find it interesting that the Iranians seem to always repel attacks on Iranian merchant vessels, which considering that, at 124 hulls, they have slightly more than half as many ships as Switzerland. Not exactly a target dense environment for pirates. Also, the paucity of reports of Iran saving non-Iranian vessels is curious, since they claim to be so active.
    I guess when what would normally constitute a division is termed a fleet, math may be a bit hazy on these things.

    Shadow

    ReplyDelete
  2. Some one said to themselves, "this doesn't sound cool enough. I'll add more ships to the total."

    ReplyDelete