Iran has sent two warships to the Gulf of Aden, establishing a military presence off the coast of Yemen where Saudi Arabia is leading a bombing campaign to oust the Iran-allied Houthi movement.
Iranian Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the ships were on a mission to protect Iranian shipping from piracy, according to comments cited by Press TV.
The destroyer Alborz and a support vessel, the Bushehr, sailed from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia and several Arab allies have imposed an air and naval blockade on Yemen as part of a two-week campaign to oust the Houthis, who have taken most of the country and forced the president, Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, to flee to Riyadh.
Iran has condemned the campaign and called for dialogue.
Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of providing military support to the Houthis, a charge the Islamic Republic denies.
Adm Sayyari said the Iranian ships would patrol the Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen, and the Red Sea. The area is one of the world’s most important shipping routes and a gateway between Europe and the Middle East.
* Reuters
