EU Naval Force Intercepts Iranian-Flagged Dhow in Anti-Piracy Operation

A European Union naval mission, known as Operation Atalanta, intercepted an Iranian-flagged dhow used by pirates to attack an oil products tanker off Somalia's coast. The crew is safe, and efforts are underway with Somali authorities to locate the pirates, disrupting their activities in the region.

An EU naval mission successfully intercepted an Iranian-flagged dhow used by pirates that attacked an oil products tanker off the Somali coast, reigniting concerns about maritime security in the region.

The EU naval force, Operation Atalanta, confirmed the crew's safety and is collaborating with Somali authorities to apprehend the pirates, who abandoned the seized fishing vessel on Somalia's northwestern coast.

The piracy operation had previously targeted the Maltese-flagged tanker, Hellas Aphrodite, en route to South Africa from India. The EU naval force secured the tanker on Friday, effectively disrupting the pirate group's operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)