An Iranian-ownedLPG carrier named as Bootanan was targeted by Somali pirates in theBab-el-Mandeb strait, but the attack was fought off in clashes lasting severalhours with the 27th Fleet, the FNA news agency said.

Lieutenantcommander Siyavash Jarreh praised his “brave forces.”

He said thevessel had been attacked by eight pirate boats.

No ship calledBootanon exists in maritime databases.

Earlier this month, the Iranian navy twice prevented the hijacking an unnameddomestic tanker off Somalia.