U.S. Ship Rescues Six More Iranians
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
A U.S. ship on Tuesday rescued six Iranian mariners in the Gulf after their vessel broke down, the Pentagon said, in the latest such gesture despite soaring tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The Iranian crew, stuck before sunrise some 50 nautical miles (90 kilometers) southeast of the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, used flares to seek help from the passing U.S. Coast Guard cutter Monomoy, according to the Pentagon.
The Iranian ship's master "requested assistance from the cutter indicating that the engine room was flooding and (the vessel was) not seaworthy," Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters.
At least one of the Iranians suffered burns from a fire onboard the troubled ship and is receiving treatment from the U.S. Coast Guard, Little said.
Pentagon officials said that the United States would repatriate the Iranians, although it has not yet been determined when or how.
The United States says that its forces routinely rescue sailors in distress regardless of nationality but officials have been eager to highlight efforts to assist Iranians amid Tehran's threats to close the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's threat -- which analysts say it may not be able to carry out -- came as the United States expanded sanctions against the Islamic regime and the European Union considers a total ban on oil exports from Tehran.
Last week, the U.S. Navy rescued 13 Iranians held by pirates. Iran welcomed the gesture, despite its opposition to U.S. forces in the area.
Western powers have been seeking to increase pressure on Iran due to fears it is developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its uranium enrichment is solely for peaceful purposes.
10 January 2012, 21:18
14
The Iranians would have abducted the Americans for months, and try to get something out of them... Mahmoud! Say thank you!
10 January 2012, 21:18
40
mossad satelite lost the iranian navy so they employed the filthy zionist information war department to find out where it is.
10 January 2012, 23:00
00
mossad satelite never looked for the Swiss navy or jabalamel's brain because they both don't exist.
11 January 2012, 00:18
00
Jabalamal at FZWID we have experts in brainwashing techniques we used the most advanced technology out there but it seems like you have experienced brainbleaching technique we are not familiar with. We would like to know do you always smell something like clorox when you take a deep breath in?
11 January 2012, 00:35
00
If Iranians found an American near their waters they would declare them the head of the CIA and imprison them.
11 January 2012, 02:12
10
the filthy zionist information war department is unable to remember the name of the leader of our glorious resistance
11 January 2012, 02:26
01
What iranian navy? if they sail to rescue their compatriots their ships will break and they'll need rescuing.
close the strait of hormuz al. ya haram...
11 January 2012, 06:46
00
Seriously .. Jabal el zift ... do you hear or read yourself?? were you born an idiot or just turned to an idiot due to the brainwashing cycles they have put you through.
With people like you in our beloved Lebanon we will never rest or have a peaceful day. May God give us patience, cause if he gives me poower I will uproot you and your filthy iranian information (or lack of it to be precise) war department.
11 January 2012, 06:46
00
the filthy iranian information war department has to bring the word "zionist" and "glorious resistance" in every article on naharnet. Maybe they should expand their vocabulary.
11 January 2012, 10:21
00
the filthy zionist information war department (FZIWD) now think they are Shakespeare and pretend they know so much about vocabulary and grammar and math and history and music and all. Just stupidities and nothing more. Henceforth and therefore we will consider their comments useless and for electronic media consumption.
