Iranian Navy Heading to Yemen Coast

Two Iranian naval vessels are heading to the strategic Bab el-Mandab Strait off the coast of Yemen, an Iranian military official announced Wednesday.

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the two ships are heading to the strait “to provide (safety for) Iran’s shipping lines and protect the Islamic Republic of Iran’s interests in the high seas,” according to Iran's PressTV.

“Sayyari said that the flotilla also seeks to ensure safety for the vessels against pirates,” PressTV reported.

The two vessels were identified as the Alborz destroyer and the support vessel Bushehr.

Their destination, Bab el-Mandab, is the tightest maritime choke-point off Yemen's coast, and one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The thin strait sees around 7 percent of the world's maritime oil shipping pass by each day. Most of the oil is moving from the Persian Gulf to Asia, Europe and North America.

In late March, oil prices jumped US$3 on fears Saudi Arabia's intervention in Yemen could lead to a closure of the Bab el-Mandab. Saudi Arabia has already imposed an air and naval blockade on Yemen, though the strait remains open.

Iran has condemns Saudi Arabia's involvement in Yemen's conflict, calling for dialogue between Yemen's warring political factions.

The Iranian vessels left port just hours after the United States announced plans to speed up arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia.

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