Iranian Navy Offers Free Escort for Foreign Vessels in Red Sea to Combat Piracy

After the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis warned that they would shell Israeli territory and would not allow Israeli-affiliated ships to pass through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Photo: AP

The Iranian Navy is prepared to escort and protect foreign vessels from piracy in the Red Sea, free of charge, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahran Irani announced.

"During one meeting, a foreign Navy commander approached us and said that it is unsafe in the [Middle Eastern] region. To which I replied: if you are concerned, you could ask the Islamic Republic of Iran to escort you [in the Red Sea]. We will not even charge for this, because it truly serves the international community," Irani said, The Caspian Post reports, citing TASS.

According to the admiral, Iranian military ships always escort the republic’s trade vessels at sea, not because of concerns that the Houthis may attack them, but to protect them from pirates.

The counter admiral also disclosed Tehran’s plan to establish separate Navy Commands in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This decision was made because a significant number of Iranian ships that require support are present in these waters. The main task of these Navy Commands will be to rotate crews and assign military ships to various regions.

"Establishing the Indian Ocean Navy Command will come first, then the Atlantic and Pacific Commands," the admiral added.

After the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis warned that they would shell Israeli territory and would not allow Israeli-affiliated ships to pass through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait until the Israeli operation in the Palestinian enclave stops. Since November last year, the Houthis have attacked dozens of civilian ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.