FNA - The International Maritime Organization (IMO) lauded Iran for its efforts to fight against the Somalian pirates and establish security in the Western waters of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim made the remarks, addressing a ceremony in Tehran on Saturday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of approval of the convention to establish IMO.

"Iran has had good progress in sailing and marine fields and has been effective several times in decreasing the pirates' attacks against the ships and vessels," he said.

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, when Somali raiders hijacked the Iranian-chartered cargo ship, MV Delight, off the coast of Yemen.

According to UN Security Council resolutions, different countries can send their warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia against the pirates and even with prior notice to Somali government enter the territorial waters of that country in pursuit of Somali sea pirates.

The Gulf of Aden – which links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea – is an important energy corridor, particularly because Persian Gulf oil is shipped to the West via the Suez Canal.