Iran may use force against pirates: official

Tehran: Iran could use force against pirates hijacking ships, a government official said in comments published on Monday.

Last week, the Iran-chartered Delight, with 25 crew and 36,000 tonnes of wheat, was hijacked off the coast of Yemen while on its way to Iran from Germany.

A company official said on Monday that pirates have set demands for releasing the ship but did not say what those demands were.

"Iran's view is that such issues should be confronted strongly," Deputy Transport Minister Ali Taheri was quoted as saying by the Ebtekar daily.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has the capability to confront pirates. If necessary we can use force," he said, suggesting the country had the right to do so under international law.

Asked if Iran would use military force against those hijacking its ships, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told a news conference: "We will examine all the appropriate options and have them on the table."