Iran on Wednesday released 10 US sailors it had detained in the Gulf, moving within hours to head off a potential crisis as it prepares for the lifting of sanctions.
A dramatic series of events started with the sailors - nine men and a woman - being taken into custody after their two patrol boats drifted into Iranian territory late on Tuesday.
US and Iranian officials scrambled to defuse the situation, which unfolded as Iran prepares to finally implement a nuclear deal with world powers aimed at ending the Islamic republic’s long international isolation. After informal talks between Washington and Tehran, a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, describing the sailors as Marines, was read out on state television confirming they were free.
“It was determined that the detained American Marines did not enter Iranian waters intentionally. Following their apology, they have been released to international waters in the Gulf,” it said. Still images used in the report showed the sailors sitting calmly on Persian rugs. Iran had earlier said they were being well treated. Pictures of the US boats, which had green-and-black camouflage patterns, were also shown. A Pentagon statement confirmed the sailors were free. “There are no indications that the sailors were harmed during their brief detention,” it said, adding: “The Navy will investigate the circumstances that led to the sailors’ presence in Iran.”