The Iranian Navy has dispatched a fleet of warships to the Gulf of Aden in a move to defend Iranian merchant containers and oil tankers, Iran’s first naval zone commander Rear Admiral Fariborz Qaderpanah has said.

“The fleet of warships comprised of Tonb and Delvar vessels is tasked with boosting security in the Gulf of Aden and north of the Indian Ocean for a period of 60 days,” he added.

Qaderpanah also said, “over the course of the last two years, the Iranian fleet of warships has successfully managed to display its powerful presence in the turmoil-stricken Gulf of Aden.”

A number of military warships have been dispatched in the past to guard Iranian and foreign vessels sailing in international waters.

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, according to Press TV.