Somali pirates are profiting from the war in Iran as commercial ships, bypassing conflict routes through lengthy detours around Africa, sail into their strike zone. As the global economy focuses on the Strait of Hormuz crisis, another shipping crisis looms in the region — the return of Somali pirates. Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been a threat to international shipping since the beginning of the Somali Civil War in the early 1990s. [1] Why is piracy rising off Somalia again — and is the Iran war responsible? At least four vessels have been hijacked in the past week or two, raising fears of a piracy resurgence. Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast, according to multiple security officials who spoke to the BBC. Piracy off the coast of Somalia is back in the headlines after European Union naval forces seized an Iranian fishing vessel last month that Somali pirates used to hijack a Malta-flagged. Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy. This is a List of Somali pirates, sea robbers, corsairs, privateers, Red Sea and ocean pirates and others involved in piracy off the coast of Somalia. This list includes both captains and prominent crew members. Pirates appear to be taking advantage of international naval strength being diverted to Middle East. Three vessels have been hijacked off the coast of Somalia in the past week, raising fears of. Pirates off the coast of Somalia have successfully hijacked a commercial vessel for the first time in 18 months, raising fears of a resurgence in armed attacks.