Ten U.S. sailors detained by Iran were released early Wednesday, officials said.
The sailors — nine men and one woman — were held overnight on Iran’s Farsi Island. They were taken into custody Tuesday when their two small U.S. navy riverine vessels drifted into Iranian-claimed waters during a training mission.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement Wednesday that the sailors had been released back into international waters following a U.S. apology and clarifications that any incursion was “a mistake.”
“The Americans have undertaken not to repeat such mistakes,” added the statement, which was read aloud on state TV. “The captured marines were released in international waters under the supervision of the IRGC Navy.”
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he was “pleased” the sailors were back in U.S. hands, thanking Secretary of State John Kerry for his diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
“We appreciate the timely way in which this situation was resolved,” he said in a statement which did not address the alleged apology.
The sailors were “safely returned” after departing Iran’s Farsi Island at 3:43 a.m. ET aboard the riverine vessels they had been operating when the incident occurred, according to the U.S. Navy.
They were later transferred ashore by Navy aircraft while other sailors took charge of their boats and continued on for Bahrain, the Navy added in a statement.
“There are no indications that the sailors were harmed during their brief detention,” the statement said, adding that the circumstances of the incident will be investigated.
The sailors — who were escorted off Farsi Island by Iranian forces — were given medical exams aboard the U.S.S. Anzio before being flown to shore and taken to the American navy base in Bahrain, U.S. military officials told NBC News.
The sailors’ release caps a quick, overnight flurry of diplomatic activity after Iran said the boats had entered its waters on Tuesday.
U.S. officials had sprung into action, with Kerry calling his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in hopes of securing the sailors’ freedom.
Iran’s Navy chief Gen. Ali Fadavi initially accused the U.S. Navy vessels of demonstrating “unprofessional behavior.” However, later Wednesday he said that an investigation showed the American vessels had entered his country’s waters due to a mechanical issue — which jibed with what U.S. officials had initially suggested.
“It was not for espionage or other harmful purposes,” Fadavi said on state-run TV.
Still, he defended the decision to take the sailors into custody as “necessary measures” given the presence of U.S. forces in the region.
American naval ships routinely navigate the waters of the Persian Gulf near Iranian territory, and their presence there frequently has been a source of tensions between the two nations.
Senior U.S. military commanders criticized Iran last month for its “highly provocative” actions when it fired unguided rockets near U.S. ships, including the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, in the Strait of Hormuz.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-sailors-detained-iran-are-safely-returned-n495526
Remember when Turkey downed that Russian jet and killed two Russians? Obama said that Turkey has the right to protect itself and its territory and down the jet.
Gee, I wonder if that also applies to Iran? NO? I didn’t think so, as it all depends on what country one is talking about, and who exactly is the trespasser!