TEHRAN, Jan 10: Iran’s state television says pirates have released a captured Iranian-chartered cargo ship.

The broadcast says the ship, named Delight, was carrying 36 tons of wheat when it was attacked in the Gulf of Aden on Nov 18 and seized by pirates. The ship was released on Friday night.

The report says all 25 crew are in good health and that the vessel is sailing toward Iran.

The release came the same day that Somali pirates released a Saudi supertanker after reportedly receiving a $3 million ransom. The supertanker, the Sirius Star, was filled with two million barrels of oil valued about $100 million.

Somali pirates have become increasingly brazen in recent months, drawing increased attention after snatching high-value cargo.—AP