Iran releases images of tense US sailors being detained

Kerry who was addressing a press briefing at the National Defense University in Washington DC. said the peaceful resolution of the issue was a “testament to the critical role that diplomacy plays” in keeping the U.S. safe. Some sailors appear to look around anxiously.

Iranian media had also published images of the American sailors looking much more relaxed while apparently in Iranian detention late Tuesday.

The report said Iran demanded an apology and that the sailors would remain in captivity as they were questioned about whether they entered Iran’s waters to gather intelligence. He said Tehran did not consider the U.S. Navy boats violating Iranian territorial waters as “innocent passage”. Kerry recently said the deal’s implementation was “days away”.

In 2004, three British patrol boats were boarded and seized by Iranian security forces in the Shatt al Arab waterway, which divides Iraq and Iran.

“It was a mistake that was our fault, and we apologize for our mistake”, the sailor is shown saying on state television.

Iran was holding 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats, similar to the one in this picture, on January 12, 2016, after the boats had mechanical problems and drifted into Iranian waters. The White House said the bill could cause “the collapse” of the July agreement and that the president will reject the legislation if it reaches his desk.

Secretary of State John Kerry tells us that Iran cemented their nuclear reactor, yet there was a news item that said that the Iranians did not cement the reactor and that they were dealing with China to enhance their nuclear capabilities.

Kerry thanked Iran for its cooperation in the release of the sailors.

Vice President Joe Biden, however, said Wednesday that America did not apologize to Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran was expected to satisfy the terms of last summer’s nuclear deal in just days.

When the two USA craft neared the Anzio, the Iranian craft turned around and returned to the island.

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”.

“Following their apology, they have been released to worldwide waters in the Gulf”, said a statement read out on state television, noting that the sailors had not entered Iranian waters intentionally and had no “hostile intent”. The crew is now undergoing the reintegration process and we will continue to investigate this incident.

The legislation targets more than 50 individuals and entities included in an attachment to the nuclear deal that also are on Treasury’s “Specially Designated Nationals” list, which freezes any assets they may have in the US and generally prohibits anyone in the USA from doing business with them.