Somali pirates seize Iranian fishing vessel, raising fears of attacks on cargo ships

Somali pirates have hijacked the Iranian fishing vessel Azini, carrying 23 people, as it approached a commercial shipping lane off northeastern Somalia. The Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean said the ship was taken Thursday between Bandar Bayla and Hafun. A Puntland Maritime Police Force officer told The Associated Press that 12 pirates seized the vessel, with 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards; the crew’s safety was not confirmed. The center warned Saturday that pirates could use the Azini as a “mother ship” to support attacks on cargo vessels. European Union naval Operation Atalanta is investigating, as Somali piracy returns in the Gulf of Aden.