Iran dispatched subs to Red Sea

TEHRAN, June 7 (UPI) -- Iran ordered submarines to the Red Sea to "collect information and identify other countries' vessels," the semi-official Fars news agency said Tuesday.

The report, citing an unnamed military official, failed to specify the types of submarines and the numbers dispatched but said they accompanied warships from the navy's 14th fleet to the Gulf of Aden last month.

The officials said the contingent then left for the Red Sea "to continue its mission."

In May, the country's naval commander, Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, said the country had dispatched navy warships to conduct anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, the government-supported Press TV said.

In February, the Islamic Republic sent two warships through the Suez Canal, saying they were on a friendly mission. At the time, Israel described the move as provocative.

In August last year, Iran announced the addition of four new Ghadir class submarines to its fleet. At a ceremony at the time, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the new submarines would help transfer special forces to detect enemy vessels and identify targets.