"The Iranian cargo vessel was attacked by seven pirate boats this morning [22 February], but they failed due to the timely action of the 29th flotilla of warships, which made the pirates flee the scene," Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh, was quoted as saying by the FARS News Agency.
The vessel was then escorted by Iranian Navy ships through the waterway.
The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008.