Iran deploys warships to protect Gulf of Aden

Iran is planning to send two warships to protect shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden, Anadolu reported on Sunday. According to Iranian media, the destroyer “Alborz” and logistics ship “Bushehr” will leave Bandar Abbas and stop in Oman before heading for the vital waterway.

The move comes as tensions rise in the Arabian Gulf after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen cut off diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar for “supporting terrorism”.

Read: Severing ties with Qatar not a solution says Iran

The government in Doha has denied the allegation and called the moves against it as “unjustified”. It also stands accused of “getting closer” to Iran, which is Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival.

Iran backs the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and it is believed that it ships arms to the group via the Gulf of Aden.