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Iran Navy's 34th fleet in full preparedness: Commander

Iran’s Alborz destroyer, foreground, and the Bushehr logistic vessel (undated photo)

The 34th fleet of the Iranian Navy is fully prepared and conducting its mission in high seas, a senior Iranian commander says.

The fleet is patrolling the Gulf of Aden, the north of the Indian Ocean and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to provide security for naval routes and defend the Islamic Republic’s interests, Commander of Iran’s First Naval Zone Admiral Amir Hossein Azad told IRNA on Sunday.

The 34th fleet, which comprises the Bushehr logistic vessel and Alborz destroyer, left Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas for the Gulf of Aden and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait on April 8 on a 90-day mission.

The Iranian commander added that the fleet is likely to be dispatched to the Red Sea.

The flotilla will be dispatched wherever deemed necessary in line with its mission, Azad said.

He noted that the 35th flotilla of the Iranian Navy will leave for the Gulf of Aden before the end of the 34th fleet’s mission.

In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been also conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tanker ships during its missions in international waters.

SF/HMV/SS


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