US Navy sailors released unharmed by Iran in less than a day

[webfact]

US Navy sailors released unharmed by Iran in less than a day
By ADAM SCHRECK and ALI AKBAR DAREINI

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — It turned out to be the international crisis that wasn't.

Less than a day after 10 U.S. Navy sailors were detained in Iran when their boats drifted into Iranian waters, they and their vessels were back safely Wednesday with the American fleet.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry tapped the personal relationship he has formed with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif in the three years of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, speaking with him at least five times by telephone. Kerry credited the quick resolution to the "critical role diplomacy plays in keeping our country secure and strong."

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter thanked Kerry after the sailors' release and couched the incident in humanitarian terms, noting that "the U.S. Navy routinely provides assistance to foreign sailors in distress."

For Tehran, the Americans' swift release was a way to neutralize a potential new flashpoint days before it was expected to meet the terms of last summer's nuclear deal, which will give Iran significant relief from painful economic sanctions.

It is likely that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, would have had to approve the release, given the immense political sensitivities.

But the rapid resolution also was a victory for moderate President Hassan Rouhani, who has promoted greater openness with the outside world despite strident opposition from deeply entrenched hard-liners at home.

"Rouhani's policy of interaction is working," said Iranian political analyst Saeed Leilaz. "Iran and the U.S. have gone a long way in reducing tensions but still have a long way to go in improving their contacts. It was a big step forward."

The nine men and one woman were detained Tuesday after at least one of their boats suffered mechanical problems off of Farsi Island, an outpost in the middle of the Persian Gulf that has been used as a base for Revolutionary Guard speedboats since the 1980s.

The Americans' small Riverine boats were sailing between Kuwait and Bahrain on a training mission when the U.S. lost contact.

The sailors left the island at 0843 GMT (3:43 a.m. EST) Wednesday aboard their boats, the Navy said. They were picked up by Navy aircraft, and other sailors took control of the vessels for the return voyage to Bahrain, where the U.S. 5th Fleet is based.

Cmdr. Kevin Stephens, a 5th Fleet spokesman, said the priority now would be determining "how exactly these sailors found themselves in Iran."

He declined to say where they were going or give details on their identities, but a senior defense official said they were heading to a U.S. military facility in Qatar. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said they are being debriefed and getting medical exams but were not harmed.

In Washington, a defense official said the Navy has ruled out engine or propulsion failure as the reason the boats entered Iranian waters. Navigation problems, due either to human or mechanical failure, could not be ruled out, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss details of the incident and so spoke on condition of anonymity.

The sailors were part of Riverine Squadron 1, based in San Diego, U.S. officials said. When the U.S. lost contact with the boats, ships attached to the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier strike group began a search, as did aircraft from the Truman. The officials also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the incident publicly.

The Revolutionary Guard released images of the U.S. sailors before their release, showing them sitting on the floor of a room. They looked mostly bored or annoyed, although one appeared to be smiling. The woman had her hair covered by a brown cloth. The pictures also showed what appeared to be their two boats.

State TV later released more video and photos of the Americans apparently surrendering on their knees, their hands behind their head. It also showed machine guns and ammunition they had onboard.

"After determining that their entry into Iran's territorial waters was not intentional, and their apology, the detained American sailors were released in international waters," the Guard said.

US Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross said the incident was still under investigation.

"The video appears to be authentic but we cannot speak to the conditions of the situation or what the crew was experiencing at the time. The crew is currently undergoing the reintegration process and we will continue to investigate this incident. What matters most right now, however, is that our Sailors are back safely," Ross said.

Vice President Joe Biden, speaking later to "CBS This Morning," said the U.S. government had not issued an apology.

"There's nothing to apologize for," Biden said. "When you have a problem with the boat, you apologize the boat had a problem? No, and there was no looking for any apology. This was just standard nautical practice."

Iranian TV ran video of one of the sailors apologizing for the intrusion into Iranian waters.

"It was a mistake. That was our fault and we apologize for our mistake," the unidentified sailor is shown saying in English.

The U.S. Central Command later said: "The video appears to be authentic, but we cannot speak to the conditions of the situation or what the crew was experiencing at the time." It added that the crew was undergoing "the reintegration process and we will continue to investigate this incident."

"What matters most right now, however, is that our sailors are back safely," it added.

In his statement, Kerry expressed his "gratitude to Iranian authorities for their cooperation ?in swiftly resolving this matter."

Gen. Ali Fadavi, the Guard's navy chief, accused the Americans of "unprofessional acts" for 40 minutes before the sailors were picked up by Iranian forces.

The quick resolution stood in contrast to the 2007 seizure by Iran of 15 British sailors and marines who were searching for a merchant ship in the Gulf. Iran held them for 13 days, with the captives saying they were kept in cold, stone cells, blindfolded and fearing execution, and coerced into falsely saying they had entered Iranian waters.

Their detention by the Revolutionary Guard occurred under hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. A day after they were seized, the U.N. Security Council imposed more sanctions on Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment.

Haleh Esfandiari, the Iranian-American director of the Middle East program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, called the Americans' release "a big victory for Rouhani and his team."

"Finally, he was able to assert himself vis a vis the Revolutionary Guard. ... He is trying to change Iran's 'in-your-face image' that developed under Ahmadinejad," Esfandiari said.

"They must have contacted the Supreme Leader and said ... 'If we let this become an international incident, there is no way we can restore that sense of goodwill that we are trying to project,'" she added.

The Guard's 200,000-member force is different from the regular Iranian military and is charged with protecting the ruling system. Its naval forces are heavily dependent on armed speedboats that can be used in teams to swarm much larger vessels.

Tuesday's incident recalled the 2009 arrest of three American hikers by Iran as they traveled along the country's border with Iraq. One hiker, Sarah Shourd, was released after more than 13 months in custody after mediation by Oman. Her travel companions, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, were convicted of espionage but set free a year after her.

The sailors' detention came just hours before President Barack Obama gave his final State of the Union address and amid a period of renewed maritime tensions with Iran. Last month, Iran conducted a rocket test near U.S. warships and boats passing through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, the route for about a fifth of the world's oil.

Iran sank a replica of a U.S. aircraft carrier near the strait in February 2015 and has said it is testing "suicide drones" that could attack ships. It also has challenged foreign cargo ships in the Gulf, opening fire on at least two last year. In one incident, Iran temporarily seized a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship over what it said was a commercial dispute before releasing it and its crew more than a week later.

Iran is expected to satisfy the terms of the nuclear deal in just days. Once the U.N. nuclear agency confirms Iran's actions to roll back its program, the U.S. and other Western powers are obliged to suspend wide-ranging oil, trade and financial sanctions on Tehran. Kerry recently said the deal's implementation was "days away."

Four Americans of Iranian origin remain held by Iran, including journalist Jason Rezaian of The Washington Post; former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati of Flint, Michigan; pastor Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho; and Siamak Namazi, a businessman and the son of a politician from the shah's era. Separately, former FBI agent Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission.
___

Dareini reported from Tehran, Iran. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lolita C. Baldor, Bradley Klapper, Robert Burns and Richard Lardner in Washington, Nasser Karimi and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, and Jon Gambrell in Dubai contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-14

[noikrit]

Now thats nice !! ... now all of you go back outside and play ....

[JimmyTheMook]

US Super Power, my eye.

[brewsterbudgen]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

[sirineou]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

I was watching the republican pundits on CNN foaming at the mouth , saying that Obama needs to change his State Of the Union address , and condemn the incident.

How dare the Iranians arrest US servicemen, they were saying.

In Fact Iran acted exactly as the US would have had, if an Iranian navy boat had strayed in US territorial waters.

They would had DETAINED not arrested the Iranians, as the US servicemen were DETAINED not arrested. and after an investigation and determination that it was an accident they would have being released.

Obama had the wisdom not lo listen to them , I doubt that Trump or Cruz would had being as wise.

[Ulysses G.]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

It probably would not have happened in one of them were in charge. A weak president that no one respects invites this kind of incident.

[casualbiker]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

It probably would not have happened in one of them were in charge. A weak president that no one respects invites this kind of incident.

Are you saying that a strong President would personally service the Navy boats to ensure that there are no mechanical or electrical problems.. You really are delusional!

As another poster stated this was just a mistake made by US service personal and it seems it was handled by Iran in accordance with international norms.

[sirineou]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

It probably would not have happened in one of them were in charge. A weak president that no one respects invites this kind of incident.

Sure if any of them were in charge, our service men would still be in Iranian custody or worst, and we might be involved in an other expensive war,probably throwing the world economy in an other tail spin

and all over a minor incident

on the other hand, a disruption in the oil trade would cause oil prides to rise, Making Saudi Arabia, Russia and the oil companies profitable again,

Yeaaa Go Trump

[Usernames]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

I was watching the republican pundits on CNN foaming at the mouth , saying that Obama needs to change his State Of the Union address , and condemn the incident.

How dare the Iranians arrest US servicemen, they were saying.

In Fact Iran acted exactly as the US would have had, if an Iranian navy boat had strayed in US territorial waters.

They would had DETAINED not arrested the Iranians, as the US servicemen were DETAINED not arrested. and after an investigation and determination that it was an accident they would have being released.

Obama had the wisdom not lo listen to them , I doubt that Trump or Cruz would had being as wise.

Nope. Arrested. Not "detained." Or "rescued" as some others in obama administration have claimed.

[sirineou]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

I was watching the republican pundits on CNN foaming at the mouth , saying that Obama needs to change his State Of the Union address , and condemn the incident.

How dare the Iranians arrest US servicemen, they were saying.

In Fact Iran acted exactly as the US would have had, if an Iranian navy boat had strayed in US territorial waters.

They would had DETAINED not arrested the Iranians, as the US servicemen were DETAINED not arrested. and after an investigation and determination that it was an accident they would have being released.

Obama had the wisdom not lo listen to them , I doubt that Trump or Cruz would had being as wise.

Nope. Arrested. Not "detained." Or "rescued" as some others in obama administration have claimed.

you obviously do not understand the difference between detained and arrested

You detain some one for questioning, if innocent you release them if guilty you Arrest them

Until such time as either of these things are determined you exercise due caution.

[bassman]

The Iranians had no business showing photos of them on their knees or at gun point. Iran is puffing its chest especially their Islamist idiots. They need a serious slap-down as was done under Reagan in the 80's such as blowing up some of their oil wells

And for you liberal loons that think that this would have been worse under a President with a spine, you must of forget the hostage crisis of 1980 in Iran....remember Jimmy Carter president with an Obama/liberal foreign policy. As Ronald Reagan was being sworn in they had to split the news screen to show the embassy hostages being released.

[ezzra]

Barak Obama will not let anything to stand in his way to crown Iran his new partner in his favorite

in middle east... not even the humiliations of his navy soldiers treated like prisoners of war,

thick skin and thick head this Obama guy, lover of all thing Arab and Muslim and he doesn't

even try to hide it....

[casualbiker]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

I was watching the republican pundits on CNN foaming at the mouth , saying that Obama needs to change his State Of the Union address , and condemn the incident.

How dare the Iranians arrest US servicemen, they were saying.

In Fact Iran acted exactly as the US would have had, if an Iranian navy boat had strayed in US territorial waters.

They would had DETAINED not arrested the Iranians, as the US servicemen were DETAINED not arrested. and after an investigation and determination that it was an accident they would have being released.

Obama had the wisdom not lo listen to them , I doubt that Trump or Cruz would had being as wise.

Nope. Arrested. Not "detained." Or "rescued" as some others in obama administration have claimed.

exactly how any military would tackle an intrusion by another military force!

[casualbiker]

The Iranians had no business showing photos of them on their knees or at gun point. Iran is puffing its chest especially their Islamist idiots. They need a serious slap-down as was done under Reagan in the 80's such as blowing up some of their oil wells

And for you liberal loons that think that this would have been worse under a President with a spine, you must of forget the hostage crisis of 1980 in Iran....remember Jimmy Carter president with an Obama/liberal foreign policy. As Ronald Reagan was being sworn in they had to split the news screen to show the embassy hostages being released.

WHY! The US service people strayed into another countries territorial waters fully armed without permission in a region at war. You think the US armed forces would do any different if the shoe was on the other foot?

[Scott]

An inflammatory post has been removed.

[zydeco]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

I was watching the republican pundits on CNN foaming at the mouth , saying that Obama needs to change his State Of the Union address , and condemn the incident.

How dare the Iranians arrest US servicemen, they were saying.

In Fact Iran acted exactly as the US would have had, if an Iranian navy boat had strayed in US territorial waters.

They would had DETAINED not arrested the Iranians, as the US servicemen were DETAINED not arrested. and after an investigation and determination that it was an accident they would have being released.

Obama had the wisdom not lo listen to them , I doubt that Trump or Cruz would had being as wise.

Nope. Arrested. Not "detained." Or "rescued" as some others in obama administration have claimed.

you obviously do not understand the difference between detained and arrested

You detain some one for questioning, if innocent you release them if guilty you Arrest them

Until such time as either of these things are determined you exercise due caution.

Comical. I hope you don't practice law or give legal advice.

[zydeco]

The Iranians had no business showing photos of them on their knees or at gun point. Iran is puffing its chest especially their Islamist idiots. They need a serious slap-down as was done under Reagan in the 80's such as blowing up some of their oil wells

And for you liberal loons that think that this would have been worse under a President with a spine, you must of forget the hostage crisis of 1980 in Iran....remember Jimmy Carter president with an Obama/liberal foreign policy. As Ronald Reagan was being sworn in they had to split the news screen to show the embassy hostages being released.

WHY! The US service people strayed into another countries territorial waters fully armed without permission in a region at war. You think the US armed forces would do any different if the shoe was on the other foot?

Where is the declaration of war? Just another hysteria filled America hating rant. The US routinely escorts violators of its territorial waters out without stopping them, putting their sailors at gun point, and making them squat with their hands behind their heads. Or, in the case of the Chinese navy, where no action was taken at all. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/04/politics/china-ships-alaska-us-waters/

[Johpa]

It probably would not have happened in one of them were in charge. A weak president that no one respects invites this kind of incident.

If Obama is so weak then why were these elite naval forces being deployed in the region?

There continues to be a whole lot of smoke and mirrors being used to obfuscate what actually happened. None of the stated facts add up. But it appears to me that both sides decided it was in nobody's best interest to have this incident escalate into an armed confrontation, an option I believe was transmitted by Kerry to Iran as being highly likely if the situation was not resolved immediately with the quick release of the sailors and boats. Again, kudos to all involved, including Obama. Although clearly someone's naval career is now over.

[casualbiker]

The Iranians had no business showing photos of them on their knees or at gun point. Iran is puffing its chest especially their Islamist idiots. They need a serious slap-down as was done under Reagan in the 80's such as blowing up some of their oil wells

And for you liberal loons that think that this would have been worse under a President with a spine, you must of forget the hostage crisis of 1980 in Iran....remember Jimmy Carter president with an Obama/liberal foreign policy. As Ronald Reagan was being sworn in they had to split the news screen to show the embassy hostages being released.

WHY! The US service people strayed into another countries territorial waters fully armed without permission in a region at war. You think the US armed forces would do any different if the shoe was on the other foot?

Where is the declaration of war? Just another hysteria filled America hating rant. The US routinely escorts violators of its territorial waters out without stopping them, putting their sailors at gun point, and making them squat with their hands behind their heads. Or, in the case of the Chinese navy, where no action was taken at all. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/04/politics/china-ships-alaska-us-waters/

WHERE is it America hating. Get a grip!

[casualbiker]

The Iranians had no business showing photos of them on their knees or at gun point. Iran is puffing its chest especially their Islamist idiots. They need a serious slap-down as was done under Reagan in the 80's such as blowing up some of their oil wells

And for you liberal loons that think that this would have been worse under a President with a spine, you must of forget the hostage crisis of 1980 in Iran....remember Jimmy Carter president with an Obama/liberal foreign policy. As Ronald Reagan was being sworn in they had to split the news screen to show the embassy hostages being released.

WHY! The US service people strayed into another countries territorial waters fully armed without permission in a region at war. You think the US armed forces would do any different if the shoe was on the other foot?

Where is the declaration of war? Just another hysteria filled America hating rant. The US routinely escorts violators of its territorial waters out without stopping them, putting their sailors at gun point, and making them squat with their hands behind their heads. Or, in the case of the Chinese navy, where no action was taken at all. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/04/politics/china-ships-alaska-us-waters/

I see you missed the " The Chinese ships were doing operations "consistent with international law," U.S. officials said, under the maritime rule of "innocent passage," where ships are permitted to enter territorial waters and are not challenged so long as they keep moving directly and expeditiously." As in permission was sought. Also did the USA declare war on Iraq? A region at war literally means there is armed conflict occurring in the region.. But then you knew that! Edited January 14, 2016 by casualbiker

[Publicus]

It would appear the Iran military and hard-liners initiated the incident, or at least were the first to take any action. Hence the videos showing objectionable and potentially offensive positions. Hard liners there got that much. There is other video of the sailors too.

Then diplomats in Tehran with other more reasonable and balanced senior government leaders took a quick charge and put a swift end to it.

The recent history of the US and Iran since 1980 or so is hostile in the extreme, so it is difficult for the hard-liners on each side to adjust to change and accept a transition to improved and working relations. It's the hard-liners who caused this on the Iranian side and the hard-liners on each side that are making a stink of this.

Bottom line is that reason and moderation on each side took charge immediately and prevailed. This is strength.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Publicus

[Linky]

It is precicely because of Obama's statesman actions that Iran has done exactly the right thing. US forces in their waters were detained, found it was a pure mistake and released. The US would have done exactly the same. Israel would not have, they would have commandos board with guns a blazin.

Well done Iran and the US for using logic.

[casualbiker]

It would appear the Iran military and hard-liners initiated the incident, or at least were the first to take any action. Hence the videos showing objectionable and potentially offensive positions. Hard liners there got that much. There is other video of the sailors too.

Then diplomats in Tehran with other more reasonable and balanced senior government leaders took a quick charge and put a swift end to it.

The recent history of the US and Iran since 1980 or so is hostile in the extreme, so it is difficult for the hard-liners on each side to adjust to change and accept a transition to improved and working relations. It's the hard-liners who caused this on the Iranian side and the hard-liners on each side that are making a stink of this.

Bottom line is that reason and moderation on each side took charge immediately and prevailed. This is strength.

initiated? Surely the US Navy initiated it by straying into Iranian water while fully armed and operational in small raider style boats. But I do agree with you estimate of the situation.

[neverdie]

Imagine how this might have played out if Trump or Cruz was POTUS!

It probably would not have happened in one of them were in charge. A weak president that no one respects invites this kind of incident.

Are you saying that a strong President would personally service the Navy boats to ensure that there are no mechanical or electrical problems.. You really are delusional!

As another poster stated this was just a mistake made by US service personal and it seems it was handled by Iran in accordance with international norms.

UG's immense dislike for the president affects his ability to think clearly. Just put it down to the 'ramblings' of a crazy old man.

UG, your nurse hasn't gone away again and left you to sort the medication again has she? Doctor won't be happy.

Edited January 14, 2016 by neverdie

[Publicus]

It would appear the Iran military and hard-liners initiated the incident, or at least were the first to take any action. Hence the videos showing objectionable and potentially offensive positions. Hard liners there got that much. There is other video of the sailors too.

Then diplomats in Tehran with other more reasonable and balanced senior government leaders took a quick charge and put a swift end to it.

The recent history of the US and Iran since 1980 or so is hostile in the extreme, so it is difficult for the hard-liners on each side to adjust to change and accept a transition to improved and working relations. It's the hard-liners who caused this on the Iranian side and the hard-liners on each side that are making a stink of this.

Bottom line is that reason and moderation on each side took charge immediately and prevailed. This is strength.

initiated? Surely the US Navy initiated it by straying into Iranian water while fully armed and operational in small raider style boats. But I do agree with you estimate of the situation.

Point well taken.

Iranian military has a major intelligence gathering facility on Farsi island. I'm certain US and other governments have electronic and other surveillance of the facility, to include from satellites to the undersea.

Sometimes however, it's necessary in such instances to send in some eyeballs to get up close but not personal. It could be that this up close eyeballing by US Navy was made personal by the navy commanders of the Revolutionary Guards. Then moderates in Tehran intervened to shut down immediately any possible crisis.

This actually could make about as much sense as any of the Pentagon's changing stories of why the boats were in there so close and the what of it. Another variable concerns what the US rules of any possible engagement may have been.

[Steely Dan]

It certainly smells like a false flag operation designed to give credence to the supposed rehabilitation of Iran.

[casualbiker]

It certainly smells like a false flag operation designed to give credence to the supposed rehabilitation of Iran.

[Publicus]

It certainly smells like a false flag operation designed to give credence to the supposed rehabilitation of Iran.

That is not my statement or implication.

My statement is that there are hard-liners in each country and that each group of 'em will do and say crazy things.

It is conceivable hardliners in the Navy Revolutionary Guards wanted to seize a crisis opportunity at a sensitive time in international relations, concerning the United States in particular.

Hardliners in Iran and in the US have always opposed the nuclear agreement and each group still wants it trashed. It will come into effect this week however and regardless.

[Prbkk]

The Americans would have blown them out of the water had the situation been reversed ( just as the shot down Iran Air Airbus 300 on the basis that it might have been military...either a bare-faced lie or gross incompetence, an unattractive choice)

[Thaidream]

It never ceases to maze me how so many people are willing to go to war over the slightest incident or alleged insult. The problem is that those who desire war are never the ones who actually have to fight and die. In this case- The President did exactly the right thing by not rushing in and in his State of the Union address made it clear that America is no longer the World's policeman. As an American veteran I applaud this restraint and philosophy. Too many brother and sisters names on memorials in Washington DC.