HMAS Darwin rescues Iranian fishermen

An Australian warship has rescued 13 fishermen clinging to wreckage at sea off Pakistan.

HMAS Darwin was on the way to the Middle East to join an international maritime force conducting counter-terrorist and counter-piracy operations.

Defence said the Darwin was just 10 days into that mission when it rescued the 13 men, who said they were Iranian nationals.

They said they had been adrift on a lifeboat and wreckage for five days in international waters after their boat was struck and sunk by an unknown vessel.

They were provided food, water and minor medical care.

The Darwin stayed with the men until the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Ship MSS Nusrat reached their position and took them ashore.

The commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major-General Craig Orme, said the successful rescue showcased the strong co-operation between the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and coalition partners.

"The US-led CMF, CMF's Pakistani-led Combined Task Force 151 and Australia's Joint Task Force 633 Headquarters co-operated to secure assistance from Pakistan's search and rescue authorities," he said in a statement.