TEHRAN – An attempt by pirates to hijack an Iranian tanker near the Bab el-Mandeb strait was foiled by the Iranian Navy, the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency reported on Saturday.

 

Iranian commandoes rescued the tanker, which was sailing 30 miles from the Bab el-Mandeb strait, when it came under attack by six pirate ships.

 

The strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia.