US Navy: Iran Fishing Boat Rescued From Suspected Pirates

[Mayhem]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/us-navy-iran-fishing-boat_n_1190225.html

The political tensions between the U.S. and Iran over transit in and around the Persian Gulf gave way Friday to photos of rescued Iranian fisherman happily wearing American Navy ball caps.

The fishermen were rescued by a U.S. Navy destroyer Thursday, more than 40 days after their boat was commandeered by suspected Somali pirates in the northern Arabian Sea. The rescue came just days after Tehran warned the U.S. to keep its warships out of the Persian Gulf – an irony not lost on U.S. officials who trumpeted the news on Friday.

"We think it's very doubtful that the Iranians or the pirates were aware of recent events of the last couple days," Rear Adm. Craig S. Faller, commander of the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group involved in the rescue, told reporters by phone Friday. "Once we released them (the fishermen) today they went on their way very happily, I might add, waving to us wearing USS Kidd Navy ball caps."

The rescue was carried out by American forces flying off the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd, after crew on the Iranian fishing vessel, the Al Molai, made it clear they were in trouble.

The USS Kidd, part of the Stennis carrier group, was sailing in the Arabian Sea, after leaving the Persian Gulf, when it came to the sailors' aid. It was alerted to the hostage situation when the captain of the fishing boat spoke by radio to the Americans in Urdu – a Pakistani dialect that he hoped the pirates near him would not understand – and managed to convey that he needed help.

A U.S. Navy team helicoptered to the ship, boarded it without any resistance, and detained 15 suspected Somali pirates. They had been holding the 13-member Iranian crew hostage and were using the boat as a "mother ship" for pirating operations in the Persian Gulf.

"They were scared," U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jennifer L. Ellinger, commander of the USS Kidd, said of the Iranians. "They pleaded with us to come over and board their vessel, invited us to come over. And we reassured them that we would be on our way."

The episode occurred after a week of hostile rhetoric from Iranian leaders, including a statement by Iran's Army chief that American vessels are no longer welcome in the Gulf. Iran also warned it could block the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that carries to market much of the oil pumped in the Middle East.

The Iranian threats, which were brushed aside by the Obama administration, were in response to strong economic sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear enrichment program. Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions targeting Iran's Central Bank and its ability to sell petroleum abroad.

 

[jod0565]

I heard this on the way home today and couldn't help but smile. I think it's great.

 

[PirateKing]

Pirates -> improved foreign relations between Iran/US

 

[grower_boy]

Good story. It shows that no matter what tensions exist between governments, compassion between men can always take place.

 

[th3ant1chr1st]

Wait, you guys don't see beyond this? I like how the media makes the Somalian Pirates out to look bad. The reason they became pirates is because other countries came in, dumped toxic waste on their beaches, and over fished their spots(both illegally). They don't have a Coast Guard, they barely have a government, what else do you do?

 

[BlueBalls]

Just another example of US imperialism.

 

[busaguy79]

Pirates are gonna bring the world together and we will have everlasting peace!! Thank you Pirates!