Iran sends warships to the Red Sea

Iran's warship Alborz entered the Red Sea, but its mission and duration in the area are unclear.

"The destroyer Alborz entered the Red Sea after passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Iran's naval forces have been operating in the area to protect shipping routes, repel pirates and carry out other missions since 2009," Iran's Tasnim news agency said today.

Iranian media did not disclose the specific mission and the time the Alborz will be present in the Red Sea. PressTV news agency said that the Alborz belongs to the Iranian Navy's 34th Squadron, which has been participating in patrol missions in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait with the Bushehr logistics ship since 2015.

The Alborz on duty at sea in 2009. Photo: Shipspotting — The Alborz on duty at sea in 2009. Photo: *Shipspotting*

The US Navy's 5th Fleet, which oversees the Middle East and Red Sea, declined to comment on the Iranian warship's activities.

The Alborz is one of three Alvand-class warships built by Britain and delivered to Iran in the early 1970s. Tehran upgraded them and calls them "destroyers," but experts say the size and armament of the Alvand class puts them in the category of light corvettes.

The Alborz frigate is 94.5 m long and has a full load displacement of 1,540 tonnes, with a range of 9,000 km at a speed of 28 km/h. Its main weapons are eight Noor anti-ship missiles with a range of over 200 km, numerous artillery and machine gun mounts, mortars and two torpedo launchers.

The move comes as Yemen's Houthi forces have repeatedly attacked ships passing through the Red Sea, claiming they are in support of the Palestinians. The attacks have affected the shipping lane through which 12% of global trade passes, prompting the US to form a multinational naval force to respond.

Location of the Red Sea. Graphics: AFP — Location of the Red Sea. Graphics: *AFP*

The White House accused Iran of being “deeply involved in planning attacks on shipping in the Red Sea” by the Houthis in late December 2023. Washington said Tehran had provided the Houthis with drones, missiles and intelligence, allowing them to target shipping since the attacks began in November.

Iranian diplomats rejected the White House's accusations, saying the Houthis have their own tools and act in accordance with their decisions and capabilities. Iranian officials also said Washington had asked Tehran to advise the Houthis not to act against US and Israeli interests in the region.

Vu Anh (According to Tasnim, Reuters, AFP )

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