According to the Iranian Navy’s public relations, the Filipino vessel “Panama-Gade” called on the Iranian forces for help when pirates on board a number of motorboats equipped with light weapons chased it for several hours in the Sea of Oman.
The Iranian Navy immediately dispatched a special operation team to the area on a frigate and a Ra’d (Thunder) vessel.
The pirates fled the zone thereafter, and the Iranian forces escorted the Filipino ship as far as Pakistan’s water border.
Back in July 2014, Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the country’s naval forces have saved vessels from around 20 countries in the international waters from pirate attacks.
In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in the international waters to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.
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.