The European Union and Indian navies successfully seized the Iranian fishing vessel Issamohamadi, which was being used as a “mother ship” by Somali pirates to conduct attacks off the coast of Somalia. The operation took place on November 7, 2025, when a boarding team from the Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria, part of the EU’s Operation Atalanta, took control of the dhow. The Issamohamadi had been abandoned by the pirates following the hijacking of the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying gasoline from India to South Africa. The original Iranian crew onboard were found safe and unharmed. This joint naval operation has significantly disrupted the pirate group’s activities in the region. The EU naval force confirmed that comprehensive evidence and intelligence collected from both vessels will be used to support legal prosecution of the pirates. This successful collaboration highlights India’s growing role in securing vital sea lanes near Somalia, protecting Indian maritime trade interests from the resurgence of piracy linked to instability in the region. The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in the Arabian Sea and the critical need for international cooperation to maintain maritime safety.