Iran Sends New Naval Flotilla to High Seas
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Iranian Navy’s 42nd flotilla of warships set sail for international waters on Monday morning as part of regular missions to ensure security of the country’s trade vessels.
The 42nd fleet, comprising Alvand destroyer and Tonb logistic warship, departed Iran’s southern coasts for the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The flotilla set sail from the southern port city of Bandar Abbas after its predecessor, the 41st flotilla, returned home from a 48-day overseas mission, during which it sailed 5,130 nautical miles and escorted 46 Iranian ships and oil tankers in international waters.
Speaking at a ceremony in the southern port, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the purpose of such routine missions is to demonstrate the Navy’s power and capabilities, counter Iranophobia, and maintain intelligence control over maritime zones down to the northern parts of the Indian Ocean, known as the 10-degrees latitude.
The commander also underscored that Iranian naval forces will be present wherever necessary to make sure that the country’s interests are protected.
Earlier this month, Sayyari referred to the Navy’s international missions to combat piracy and secure naval routes, saying that more than 3,000 ships have been escorted by the Navy’s fleets in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb.
In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in international waters to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.
