Iranian Naval Fleet Docks at Oman’s Muscat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian Navy’s 29th fleet of warships has docked at the Omani capital and port city of Muscat after 90 days of sailing in high seas, a senior navy commander said.
Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siavash Jareh announced on Monday that the 29th fleet of warships arrived at the Omani port earlier in the day, following 90 days of sailing in the international waters.
The Iranian fleet has sailed around the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea before berthing at Muscat, the commander explained.
Admiral Jareh also noted that the Iranian fleet’s visit to Oman is aimed at conveying the Islamic Republic’s message of peace and friendship to the Arab country.
He added that the Iranian navy cadets on board the fleet will also receive practical training during the mission.
Meanwhile, Admiral Jareh said the Navy’s 30th fleet of warships, comprised of Alvand destroyer and Busher logistic warship, has been deployed to the international waters.
The 30th fleet is tasked with ensuring safe passage for the Islamic Republic’s trade vessels and oil tankers, he underlined.
The commander said the recently-deployed fleet is planned to sail across the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean as part of missions to protect the country's vessels against pirate attacks in various shipping routes.
The 30th will then head to south of Africa after those destinations, Jareh noted.
In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and oil tankers.
In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.
