TEHRAN (ISNA)- Iran�s Navy chief Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the country's naval forces have successfully thwarted a pirate attack on an Iranian oil tanker in high seas.

Sayyari added that pirates in seven boats were attempting to seize the Iranian oil tanker Tuesday morning but they were overpowered after Iran's domestically-manufactured Jamaran destroyer was called in and opened heavy fire on the pirates.

The assailants were then forced to flee, the commander said.

He noted that the 36th fleet of the Iranian Navy, comprising Jamaran destroyer and the Bushehr logistic vessel, is currently on a mission in high seas to provide security for merchant vessels and to display the Islamic Republic�s might.

In recent years, Iran�s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

Iran�s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters

By ISNA