‘Navigation error’ led U.S. sailors to Iranian waters – Carter

“They did not report this navigational error at the time“.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement Wednesday that the sailors had been released back into global waters following a USA apology and clarifications that any incursion was “a mistake”.

USA naval officials were investigating navigational error as the possible cause of the worldwide incident, in which Iran briefly detained the 10 sailors. Kerry thanked Iran after they released the sailors saying, “I’m appreciative for the quick and appropriate response of the Iranian authorities”.

One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was clear that the boats did not run out of fuel.

Diffusing a potential crisis, Iran released ten U.S. Navy sailors Wednesday who were detained when their boats sailed into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. “They were released in global waters after they apologised”. Still another shows an Iranian official going through documents apparently on board one of the American boats.

The incident had the potential to increase tensions between the two nations and damage the historic nuclear deal, which is expected to be formally implemented within days, according to Reuters.

The crew was held for about 16 hours and U.S. Navy doctors have now examined them and found no evidence of mistreatment.

General Lloyd Austin, who leads the United States military’s Central Command, said: “We’ll know a lot more after we’ve finished debriefing our sailors”.

Two others defense officials also said it appears the crew was so involved in fixing the engine that they didn’t realize where they were until the Iranians boats approached them.

“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”, Kerry said in a statement.

The Guards is highly suspicious of USA military activity near Iran’s borders and many of its senior officers suspect Washington of pursuing a regime-change in Tehran.

Navy officials were also staying in close touch with the families of the sailors to keep them apprised of the situation, the official said.