[020911.EN.SEA] Neptune Maritime Security Says Iran Navy In Fight Against Somali Pirates

THE Iranian Navy is fighting pirates in the Red Sea, according to British security contractors, Neptune Maritime Security, despite fears it is preparing to involve itself in Israeli-Egyptian quarrels on the high seas.

Reporting on pirates swarming vessels in the Red Sea, Neptune, which provides armed security to ships in pirate invested waters, reported that the Iranian Navy rescued a 53,386-ton Maltese flagged bulk carrier from a pirate attack on August 20.

"The bulk carrier SAEI saw a concerted, lengthy attack by a large pirate force. The Iranian Navy came to the SAEI's rescue. The first attack saw four skiffs containing 20 pirates engage the vessel. The second attack saw eight skiffs with a force of 40 pirates while the third and final attempt featured two skiffs with 12 pirates onboard," said the Neptune report.

Iranian naval chief, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, said his country was putting its 15th fleet, a submarine and "several warships", into the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, saying its task is to thwart pirate raids and intends to have "an active presence in the high seas".

Source : HKSG.