Iran Seizes 2 US Navy Boats, Crewmen For "Illegally Entering Iranian Waters"
Update: Iran plans to return the crewmen to a ship from the USS Truman carrier strike group on Wednesday.
JUST IN: Plans are in place for Iran to return U.S. sailors to U.S. Navy Wed. morning, gulf time, US defense official says - Reuters
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) January 13, 2016
JUST IN: #Iran to return detained #US sailors to a ship from USS Truman carrier strike group: US defence official
— The Straits Times (@STcom) January 13, 2016
So we suppose we can just call the sailors "State of the Union hostages". The rationale for waiting until tomorrow (i.e. until after Obama's speech): it's safer to carry out the exchange in daylight, according to an unnamed US official.
In short, the Ayatollah has just pulled off one epic publicity stunt.
* * *
Tensions were already running high between Tehran and Washington in the wake of Iran's move to test-fire a next generation surface-to-surface ballistic missile with the range to hit Israel.
And then the IRGC conducted a live-fire rocket test within 1,500 yards of a US aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz.
Now, in a further escalation, Iran has reportedly seized two US Navy ships.
- 2 U.S. NAVY BOATS IN IRANIAN CUSTODY, PENTAGON SAYS: AP
- RHODES SAYS U.S. WORKING ON RETURN OF CREW
- RHODES SAYS U.S. WORKING TO RESOLV
But nobody panic, because Iran has promised to return the crew "promptly" and as CNN adds, according to Iran the sailors are safe:
.@PressSec: "We have received assurances from the Iranians that our sailors are safe" https://t.co/GV9hdWZy3P https://t.co/1ioOtqYVH4
— CNN (@CNN) January 12, 2016
That appears to contradict a statement from Fars which says the US has "repeated" calls for the crew's release.
AP writes that the Pentagon says it briefly lost contact with two small Navy craft in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday but has received assurances from Iran that the crew and vessels will be returned safely and promptly.
Pentagon says these photos show examples of the type of craft involved in Iran incident pic.twitter.com/47ClLilOZK
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) January 12, 2016
"Riverine command boats or RCBs, are actually Swedish CB-90s and are a type of fast attack craft," WaPo notes, adding that "in a number of pictures released by the U.S. Navy, the boats are outfitted with a number of light, medium and heavy weapons including .50 caliber heavy machine guns and GAU-19 miniguns."
"RCB’s can carry contingents of infantry and special operation forces and are often crewed by sailors in Riverine squadrons, known by some as River Rats," WaPo continues. "The riverine force came of age in the Vietnam War in what was then known as the Brown Water Navy. In the 1960s and early 1970s boats such as Patrol Boat, River (from ‘Apocalypse Now’ fame) and Swift Boats were the River Rats vessels of choice."
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook tells The Associated Press that the boats were moving between Kuwait and Bahrain when the US lost contact with them.
Cook says, "We have been in contact with Iran and have received assurances that the crew and the vessels will be returned promptly."
The crews, which total 10 Navy sailors, are being held at Farsi Island, a highly restricted island between Bahrain and Kuwait, where Iran has a naval base. US officials are saying it is unclear how the crew members ended up in Iranian waters, though Secretary of State John Kerry has kept phone contact with Iranian officials in Tehran, urging for a release. A senior official told NBC News the Iranians understand a mistake was made and have agreed to a release to come in hours.
According to AP, an anonymous senior official says Kerry "personally engaged with” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to work out a solution almost immediately upon hearing of the development around 12:30 pm EST.
Josh Earnest, the White House spokesperson, said the sailors will be released "promptly" and " allowed to continue their journey."
The international incident comes on the day President Obama will give his final State of the Union speech of his tenure. Obama's political opponents are capitalizing on the timing, especially since the International Spectator, citing Iran Revolutionary Guard, reports that "seized US sailors will not be released tonight or before State of the Union address."
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) told CNN, "senior members of Barack Obama's administration are apologizing for Iran seizing two US Navy vessels and holding 10 sailors hostage. The White House tonight is a hot bed of cold feet."
Presidential candidates Dr. Ben Carson and Jeb Bush have taken to Twitter to criticize Obama's reaction. Bush called for "no more bargaining" and an immediate return home for the sailors, whereas Carson took a shot at Obama's "preparing to talk about his so called 'accomplishments'" in reference to tonight's national address.
If our sailors aren’t coming home yet, they need to be now. No more bargaining. Obama’s humiliatingly weak Iran policy is exposed again.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) January 12, 2016
BREAKING: While POTUS is preparing to talk about his so called "accomplishments", 10 of our American sailors are being held by #Iran.
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) January 12, 2016
This marks the second time in as many weeks that the President's "soft" policy on Iran has come under fire. Following the abovementioned rocket incident GOP lawmakers called for fresh sanctions on Tehran in connection with two ballistic missile launches in October and November. The White House was apparently prepared to announce a new set of measures aimed at around a dozen individuals and companies but at the last minute, the administration backed out. Obama's cold feet came after President Rouhani ordered the defense ministry to accelerate the country's ballistic missile program in the event new sanctions were put in place.
Meanwhile, according to Iran's version of today's events, Fars News agency says US sailors picked up by Revolutionary Guard Corps, from hardline camp who are opposed to the nuclear deal. Fars adds that the sailors were detained for illegally and "intentionally" entering Iranian waters even though they knew the area well. Tehran also contends the US ships were having "technical difficulties."
Fars News says IRGC detained 10 US military personnel in 2 boats for illegally entering Iranian waters in Gulf https://t.co/daqeCflOrM
— Borzou Daragahi (@borzou) January 12, 2016
Fars says US sailors know area, carrying GPS, intentionally entered Iran's territorial waters
— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) January 12, 2016
Fars: Both US boats "illegally" entered 2 km into Iranian waters, and IRGC confirms this info on their GPS record. https://t.co/V266Fsx42h
— FDD's Iran Project (@FDD_Iran) January 12, 2016
Just in: Iran's Fars news agency says 10 US sailors held include one woman
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 12, 2016
#Iran Questions:
- Kuwait to Bahrain is 300 nautical miles. Why were US sailors traveling by small boats? Joy ride? https://t.co/xmRCY6Or36
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) January 13, 2016
And here is the full Fars statement, google translated:
According to defense Fars News Agency, Iranian Revolutionary Guards 10 US military with two boats illegally entered Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf had been detained.
According to the information received by the Fars news agency every American boat is equipped with 3 machine guns caliber 50 (one in front and two on the sides of the float).
The two vessels illegally entered and patrolled about 2 km deep inside Iranian waters, and the information recorded on their GPS device and is now in the hands of Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
The military said among the arrested were 9 men and one woman. They carried heavy weapons in their vessels.
US officials repeated calls for the release of prisoners will continue with Tehran.
So, they are prisoners, and unlike the White House tried to spin it, guests of honor?
Ironically, earlier we asked:
Is Iran going to wait until the end of the SOTU address before returning the 10 sailors?
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 12, 2016
We now have the answer:
BREAKING: Iranian Revolutionary Guards official says seized US sailors will not be released tonight or before State of the Union address.
— The Int'l Spectator (@intlspectator) January 12, 2016
(23 votes)
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But they will keep the boats?
I always watch the state of the union address in case the zionists send some cruise missiles in there...
One would take out most of the executive and legislative branches of the US. Didn't Tom Clancy write something about an airplane flying into Congress?
even GPS guided shells fired 30kms away would destroy it. I think all the scaffolding is for hardending the building.
Even ISIS has some guided missiles now...
In The Handmaid's Tale, Congress got the St. Valentine's Day Massacre treatment while in session...of course the rebels weren't interested in 'restoring the Constitution', or anything like that...
But that one part was pretty cool.
Thanks. Yeah, pretty cool
Zionists should be excluded from serving in the forces... too much risk
You know these fuckers are getting desperate...
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Every denigrating comment on this forum about the US Navy ... all dead wrong.
I guarantee that whatever mission those sailors were performing - a mission that nobody here is qualified to do - it was for a very good reason. I am glad that they are being released. I still can't understand why our ROE would allow something like this to happen.
"Whatever the mission it was for a very good reason"
What did you think of the hostage crisis of old then?
You are an idiot, endangering troops. You bow down to idiot politicans and banksters. Fuck off.
>a mission that nobody here is qualified to do
The simple truth is you have no idea the skill sets of the people that read ZH.
Standard Disclaimer: When you were twelve, did your mother slap you?
these boats would have been better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9m1YB2FL-A
We will never be told the truth.
Know the truth, and if you need to be told it, then you won't understand it.
Grow up, boy.
Here are some signs of a coming recession.
1. Investors in high-yield bonds are expecting to see their first negative return since the start of the credit crisis in 2008.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/deteriorating-junk-bonds-flash-warning-signs-for-stocks-2015-12-07?dist=afterbell
2. Factory orders continue to drop
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-10-02/us-factory-orders-flash-recession-warning-drop-yoy-10th-month-row
3. Default risk spikes
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-10-02/us-financials-default-risk-spikes-2-year-high
4. M&A set record
http://michaelekelley.com/2015/05/29/mergers-and-acquisitions-set-record/
5. Iron ore prices tumble
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/iron-ore-prices-keep-crashing-adding-to-global-growth-fears-2015-11-30
6. Baltic dry shipping index tumbles
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shipping-index-falls-to-all-time-low-stoking-fears-about-global-growth-2015-11-19
Here is how to prepare.
http://michaelekelley.com/2014/10/16/8-things-to-do-when-recession-happens/
Here is how to get your mind off this stuff.
http://michaelekelley.com/category/humor/
Good luck!
stop posting this every day
"US officials are saying it is unclear how the crew members ended up in Iranian waters.."
At least they admitted as much. Most likely spec-ops navy that were up to something. Funny how this incident will remind people of the hostage crisis and the US allowing men to be held for political reasons. Everything they do is reminiscent of something else that they have done which was terrible.
People will say "you know what this reminds me of ?" At least some will as most are brain donors at this point.
As far as Israel goes people need to stop panicking everytime a hair on one of their heads is perceived to be at risk and remain callous when there is slaughter of other ME people everywhere. These people are not God okay? They don't contain the spirit of Jesus and you do not need to starts singing "Born is the King of Israel" everytime the US news says Israel is in danger.
God nor Jesus lives in Israel a bunch of murderers do now. As a matter of fact, if paranormal darkness exists that place is an epicenter for sure.
Tell it, sister.
It is the intention of the Internationale to humiliate and ruin the USA which defied their King George III, and lately their globalist Rothschild led City of London banksters, bailed out by the Fed whose private shareholders got rich, and the world was poorer for that.
NO. That is wrong. Keep the Constitution. Speak truth to power.
OOPS!
Bawwwhahahahahahaaa
Purposely sent in to justify an attack.
Anytime US military vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz, they are likely in the territorial waters of Iran, UAE or Oman. Maritime passage through these “choke points” is currently governed by United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) treaty, which the US has failed to ratify. Thus, under international law, there is no carte blanche passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Be careful. It is extremely irritating that lawyers kill with words.
The words of your ilk might hang you and your Talmudist types.
Talmud hates non jews. OK. I understand that. Get ready for the back lash. Then whine as your sort always do.
Are you for real? Aren't the US claiming rights under UNCLOS near the Spratly Islands, or is this another threaty?
Am for real. Trade, currency and money.
Get ready.
How fucking dare you nazionists use U.S. troops and humiliate them. Get ready to defend your weasel worlds.
Is this part of Obama's plan to scale back on drone attacks?
O'bomba is the pet of Soros, and other nasty lil nazionists. Fact.
So are all career poiiticians. Filth.
End the Fed.
The Hellfire won't come back, just like in the old song 'my boomerang won't come back'. This means that maybe the drone bombings carry the risk that their cover has been blown and they might be turned into a boomerang. Just an idea.
The US has taken the moral high ground on many occasions so that some countries absolutely zoom in on what looks like a mistake and make a mountain of a molehill. When Teheran has had their fun, they'll be released unharmed.
Fuck off, silly ninny. This is no time indulge nasty men.
It is over. Stupid nancy boys played games,and killed children. You are on your own.
OTC derivatives. Get ready.
There is more than one way to kill the aggressor.
Fucking funny - The US has become a RKS backed laughing stock - Now is the perfect time for Russia and China to 'nationalise' their banks - Just like Iran.
Let the men have their money system; debt, deficits, destruction. Blow yourselves up with that.
Pity that children die by your greed and vanity.
Beware. You are going to die sooner than you imagine.
It's really not hard to figure this one out.
The Pentagon hates the Negro almost as much as I and some others here do. We hate him because he is too warlike. The Pentagon hates him because he is not warlike enough.
So on the day of his last SOTU the Pentagon purposely sent two vessels and 10 sailors into Iranian waters to be captured and embarrass the Negro before his last speech in Congress to the American People, telling the world what a fabulous President he has been and how great the future looks.
Maybe you don't think life can be that petty.
Think again.
I hate Obama cuz he's a goddamned communist and has done all he can to inflict as much damage to our nation as he can.
Hmmmm. One of my exes is Special Forces, grr snarly, black ops. He thinks O'bomba is played; a useful tool; something to be loved and hated...while the money men run off after using him.
I think Tramp and all Israel Firsters (traitors to America) will be the same. All career vain narcssistic politicians are the same. They are the show in order to fleece the people.
End the Fed.
I do the money and family. Men I know do other things...
But they will blow the head clean off anyone who threatens me or mine.
Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition ;-)
Nasty lil nazionists hate the world and use the USA most.
ZH thinks women are for sale. I'm not. I own. I don't play the nazionist game, its Talmud vs Koran.
Where did you get the idea that ZH thinks women are for sale? I don't remember reading anything of the sort over the years. I do recall some members wanting to get rid of their wives for free.
I can't speak for this individual but they may just be referring to the fact that we have had many discussions on here about how the price of prostitutes is dropping and how women are selling their ass in Greece.
It sounds like they are saying that some women are for sale due to circumstance but not me, the Zionist scum are not going to take me out as I am making sure I am financially secure "own".. kinda thing. That's how it sounds to me anyway, I could be wrong.
I think Obama knows he is going down as the most ballless president in history, worst foreign policy acheivements, a confused mideast policy and I really wouldnt put it past him to have planned this with the Saudis. The Saudis know their influence in coming to an end if Iran isnt dealt with. Without a serious provocation, Russia and China would definitely support Iran. Thank God Iran is acting thoughtfully because the powers to be want them to make a deadly mistake.
Jeez isn't this the way they supplied and supported ISIS? This was a delivery, not a military mission. Just wait till they come up with the excuse for one of the Aircraft carriers, now there will be a doozy of a PR stunt.
<-- CabalA$$LickerLiarAddictObamma : 'Whaaaaaaaaaat Iran haz hijacked our boats & marinz , America owns all de world , hence dey hav committed a grave crime against yumanity , attack dem , keel dem , and let dem know that America rulz the world.
(and btw wee want deir oilfieldz , dat is most important)'
Nice GIF. Where did you get it?
I guess sailors today can't rig a line between two ships and tow the disabled one to safety?
And they don't know how to swim from the disabled boat to the good one?
And NEITHER boat could call for help?
And both the motor and communications went out?
There is more going on here then we will ever know...
A look at the map will confirm that Kuwait and Bahrain are on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and Iran is on the other side. I simply don't believe the engine-failure tale. This was either a deliberate provocation or they were dropping off terrorists or supplies.
Look what happened to the Russian plane that did not cross into Turkey and be grateful that Iran is not being run by a nut-case.
It reminds me of the Seal dolphin trainers for some reason. You know the ones that they trained to be aggressive and to mine ships etc?. I am not saying that is precisely was going on just that it's reminiscent.
Of course they claim the creatures are just trained for defenses just like the bioweapons programs. I am still waiting for someone to explain to me why you have to create a virus to defend from a viru,s especially when your opposition would never create the exact same virus and any defensive measures you took would be moot. Basically it makes no damn sense.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/slideshow-u-s-navys-dolphins/
This is just San Diego, Virgina would likely have them as well:
"In San Diego, with a budget of $28 million a year, the Navy has 90 dolphins and 50 California sea lions in a program run by the Space and Naval Warfare System Pacific."
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-dolphins-navy-train-deploy-persian-gulf-20150329-story.html
This sort of reminds me of 2 previous incidents where the Royal Navy had crews of small boats taken by the Iranians. This first happened in 2004, then again in 2007. Iran claimed the Royal Navy boats had ventured into Iranian waters. The crews were held 3 days the first time, and 15 sailors were held for 13 days the second time. I'm surprised none of them tried to resist, especially the US crews.
I really hope that we bomb the shit out of these assholes. Full nuclear.
Why, because they put their country next to our boats? How dare they do that! Nuke Nuke Nuke Ra Ra Ra !!!
Let's get some further perspective here ..
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/01/12/two-us-navy-boats-in-iranian-cus...
And, since ZH has been so bold to print a NEO (New Eastern Outlook) article by Engdahl, why not print another one?
An even BOLDER one ..
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/01/12/neo-why-trump-is-being-led-over-...
To get some context here, this was not the first time Duff was contact by GOP handlers ..
https://app.box.com/s/769a4o7oixga7au2iz0a7nnxouicngrq
(Go to Gordon Discusses Romney and Dr. Paul 11_01_2012.mp3)
It probably is too late for Ron Paul's political career. Perhaps not so for The Donald. We shall see ..
I have to admit, I do like this part ..
If only this could come to pass ..
Iran caught some spies... like catching mice