Iran has expressed its deep gratitude to the Indian government and armed forces for successfully rescuing all 20 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Azini, which was hijacked by heavily armed Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea.
The 48-hour operation, executed more than 3,000 km off the coast of Mumbai, prevented the hijacked vessel from being converted into a “mother ship” for further pirate raids across critical shipping routes.
The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi praised the mission, highlighting it as a testament to the strong spirit of solidarity, friendship, and humanitarian cooperation between Iran and India.
The fishing boat was initially hijacked on October 29 between Bandar Bayla and Hafun along the northeastern coast of Somalia. In response, the Indian Navy deployed a warship alongside maritime reconnaissance aircraft to track the vessel using non-kinetic containment measures.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of India, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force for their successful operation to rescue the 20 Iranian crew members of the fishing vessel Azini from pirates.
We highly commend the professionalism, courage and effective coordination demonstrated by the Indian Armed Forces, reflecting India’s strong commitment to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and its role in saving lives beyond borders.
This humanitarian operation stands as a testament to the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Iran and India.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all those involved in ensuring the safe rescue of the Iranian crew.
— Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) November 3, 2026
Marine commandos were subsequently augmented via a precision airdrop conducted by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft, supported by the stealth destroyer INS Kolkata.
Commending the flawless execution, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that the swift interception underscored India’s high operational readiness and resolve to maintain maritime stability.
The successful rescue highlights India’s continued role as a primary security provider across the Indian Ocean Region amid rising concerns over pirate activity.
