‘Navigation Error’ Sent Sailors To Iran Waters

The sailors were quickly released, however Iranian state media released a video of them being detained and apologizing for entering its waters.

In the video it can be seen when an American said that the incursion was a mistake and apologized, he also accepted that the Global Positioning System coordinates indicated that the boats were in Iranian Waters. Senior U.S. officials described Zarif as clearly anxious that the episode could sink the nuclear accord on which he and President Hassan Rouhani have staked their legacies. “It may be that they were trying to sort it out at the time they encountered the Iranian boats and discovered they were inside of the territorial waters of Iran”, Carter said in the interview.

The ten sailors were held overnight on Iran’s Farsi Island and released Wednesday.

USA officials previously said a “navigational error” had caused the two vessels to drift into Iranian waters, but Carter said on Thursday there appeared to have been a combination of factors.

Iran has released 10 American sailors who had been detained a day earlier.

The sailors’ detention has sparked fierce criticism of the Obama administration, Republican lawmakers describing the sailors’ arrest as more reason for the US not to trust Iran in its implementation of the nuclear deal.

Kerry said Wednesday that he thanked the Iranians for their cooperation and quick response on the matter, adding that “this is a testament to the critical role diplomacy plays in keeping our country safe”. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Ash Carter praised Kerry for his “diplomatic engagement” with Iran authorities.

In video released by Iranian television, the boarding of the two Navy boats seems peaceful enough.

The sailor is not identified by name in the clip but the TV interviewer says he is the “commander” of the group seized by the Iranians.

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

U.S. officials had said one or both of the boats had suffered mechanical problems and been taken to Farsi Island, which lies roughly midway between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf and houses a base of the Guards, which has its own naval units.