Iran's 44th flotilla enters in Atlantic Ocean
By Trend
Iranian Navy’s 44th flotilla has entered the Atlantic Ocean,
Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.
Sayyari said the 44th flotilla consisting of Alvand destroyer and
Bushehr logistics vessel berthed in the port city of Durban in
South Africa, Tasnim news agency reported on November 21.
The flotilla crossed Africa and entered Atlantic Ocean, he said,
expressing hope that Iran’s navy will sail across the Atlantic
Ocean in the future.
The 44th flotilla of the Iranian Navy embarked on a voyage for the
high seas on October 5 to safeguard maritime routes used by the
country's vessels and oil tankers against pirates.
Sayyari earlier said that the dispatched fleet will continue to
sail toward the Atlantic Ocean after South Africa if the conditions
are suitable.
The Islamic Republic dispatched its warships to the Atlantic Ocean
for the first time in 2014. It was planed that Iran’s fleet will
approach the US maritime borders in response to the US Navy’s
presence in the Persian Gulf. However, Tehran cancelled the plan
later.
Sayyari further said that in line with international efforts to
combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has escorted 3844 trade vessels and
oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden.
He added that the Iranian Navy has established security in the
north of the Indian Ocean.
Iran has 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.
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