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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Iran Releases Footage of U.S. Sailor Apologizing After Capture



Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 1.16.44 PM
Tasnim/Screencap
by JORDAN SCHACHTEL13 Jan 2016Washington, DC321

Iranian state-controlled news outlet Tasnim released video Wednesday afternoon that shows a U.S. sailor apologizing for purportedly infringing upon Tehran’s sovereignty.



On Tuesday, Iran seized two U.S. naval boats, arguing they illegally entered Iran’s territorial waters. The Pentagon said they encountered mechanical troubles, forcing their boats to go off course.

“It was a mistake, it was our fault, and we apologize for our mistake,” an unidentified sailor told the Iranian interviewer, who then asked him if his GPS system penetrated Iran. “I believe so,” he responded.

In another segment of the interview, the sailor held by the Iranians is asked, “How was the Iranian behavior with you?” He responds, “The Iranian behavior was fantastic while we were here. We thank you very much for your hospitality and your assistance.”
“Did you have special problem” with us, the interviewer asked. “We have no problem, sir,” the U.S. sailor responded.

Abas Aslani of Tehran’s Tasnim news Agency released more photos of the encounter on social media, which show the female sailor was forced to wear an Islamic hijab.
Iran’s PressTV has also released extensive footage showing the sailors’ arrest and detention. In the video, Iranian soldiers are seen rummaging through American weapons and ammunition, and checking the sailors’ identities.
The naval crews were taken Tuesday evening as they were navigating the Persian Gulf in riverine boats while in an area between Bahrain and Kuwait, according to reports. President Obama would later deliver his State of the Union Address without mentioning the sailors held by Tehran.
The sailors were held overnight on Fari Island, where an Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) base is situated.
The ten sailors are now safe at a U.S. military base in Qatar, according to U.S. officials. The sailors will be debriefed and receive a medical checkup, but there are no signs they were harmed, the official told AP.

John Kerry Thanks Iran for Releasing Kidnapped U.S. Sailors

John Kerry, Mohammad Javad Zarif
The Associated Press

by CHARLIE SPIERING13 Jan 20160

Secretary of State John Kerry – who served in Vietnam – thanked Iran this morning for releasing the U.S. sailors that they detained yesterday.

“I want to express my gratitude to Iranian authorities for their cooperation ‎in swiftly resolving this matter,” Kerry said in a short statement.

He added that he was particularly attuned to the situation reminding the nation that he was “a former sailor myself” and understood the importance of Naval power.

Kerry signaled that the incident was not a sign of provocation, but rather a symbol of how the two countries could work together after Iranian nuclear deal.

“That this issue was resolved peacefully and efficiently is a testament to the critical role diplomacy plays in keeping our country safe, secure, and strong,” he said.

On Tuesday, hours before President Obama’s final State of the Union Address, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two Navy vessels and abducted their crew, a total of nine men a one woman. IRGC officials confiscated the two Navy vessels and their GPS equipment, and held the soldiers overnight. Iranreleased the soldiers Wednesday morning, along with a series of photographs of the soldiers in captivity.

In addition to Kerry’s statement of gratitude to the Iranian government following the incident, the BBC reported that the United States government officially apologized to Iran for unnamed “unprofessional” acts by the American sailors alleged by the Iranian officials, though this report comes from Iranian officials and is yet to be corroborated by the United States.

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