Iranian warship providing security in Red Sea

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani says sending the Alborz destroyer to the Red Sea aligns with Iran’s ongoing plans, such as escorting the country’s oil tankers..

During an interview with Iranian media, Irani discussed the Alborz destroyer's presence in the Red Sea, emphasizing its role in safeguarding Iran's oil tankers and ensuring maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

He shared that 96th Naval Group was recently deployed, and 97th Naval Group will soon be on a mission.

The commander highlighted the purpose of deploying the naval group, emphasizing the promotion of peace, expressing readiness for interactions with various nations, reinforcing defense, and revitalizing naval capabilities.

Talking about the seizure of a US oil tanker by Iran on January 11, the commander stated that the tanker's contents rightfully belong to Iran, and despite unjust actions, the country assertively reclaim what is theirs.

Irani underscored that any infringement on Iranian people's rights will be robustly responded to, in accordance with international norms and laws.

He spoke about the presence of the Pakistani naval group in the country, emphasizing that it represents a vital mission for the Iranian Navy, encompassing defensive strategy and maritime diplomatic defense.

“Planned interactions with regional countries, including joint maritime exercises, are part of the ongoing efforts to achieve common goals, particularly in ensuring regional economic security,” he stated.

Discussing the role of drones in defense, the Iranian commander highlighted that unmanned aerial vehicles play a significant role, both generally and specifically in the aviation sector of the Navy. 

Iran’s Navy has in recent years achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing surface and sub-surface vessels. It has also increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

 

Iran stations warship in Red Sea as US aircraft carrier leaves

Iran's Alborz warship has passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and entered the Red Sea, the country's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday. Iranian warships have been operating in the region to secure shipping lanes since 2009, Tasnim said.

Iranian-backed groups have not reduced their attacks in the Middle East. On the opposite, pro-Iranian media sought to highlight how the attacks are increasing. Al-Mayadeen media, which is pro-Iran, claimed that there were attacks targeting Al-Asad based in Iraq and Shaddadi in Syria, two places where US forces are located. The US is in Syria and Iraq to help defeat ISIS.

Reports on December 31, 2023 said that the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier is heading out of the Mediterranean is also raising eyebrows in Iran and the region. While Gaza fighting appears to be reduced slightly, Iran continues to want to manage the conflict against Israel. Iranian Tasnim ran a long interview about the role of Qasem Soleimani in the region. Although the interview is ostensibly about Soleimani, who was killed in January 2020 by the US, the report examines recent details about the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen targeting ships and Palestinian terror groups targeting Israel.

The article raises questions about presence of US aircraft carriers in the region. There were two carriers in the region, the Eisenhower and Ford.

The US had sent the second carrier after the October 07, 2023 attack to deter Hezbollah and others from escalating attacks.

The Iranian regime's view is that these naval assets have not been able to prevent the Houthis in Yemen from continuing attacks on ships. However, a US helicopter destroyed three small Houthi boats over the weekend, indicating that the Houthis are taking losses.

The story about the US carrier leaving the region was covered in Al-Mayadeen media, which is pro-Iran, showing that pro-Iran figures in the region are watching this development closely.