Iran rewards IRGC leaders who captured US sailors

Five Iranian commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who were behind the detention of 10 US sailors who trespassed into Iranian waters near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf, received Fath medals from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Jan. 31.

The Jan. 12 detention of the US sailors had the potential to become another international crisis between Iran and United States, which have been steadily reducing tensions as a result of a landmark nuclear deal that was implemented last January. The IRGC released footage of the confrontation with American soldiers in their boats on their knees with their hands on their heads. The release of the video and pictures shocked and angered many Americans. The American sailors were released 16 hours after their capture. However, Iran has sought to depict the incident as a sign of strength of its forces in the Persian Gulf waters.

Khamenei first met with the Iranian sailors on Jan. 24, showering them with praise. In a video clip that was televised and shared on Khamenei’s personal Web page, he said that the sailors “showed bravery. But it was not only bravery. It was bravery accompanied with faith and an understanding of the moment. Meaning they acted on time.” He called the incident “the work of God.”

IRGC Navy Commander Rear Adm. Ali Fadavi spoke Feb. 1 at an open session of parliament about the incident. He said that this is the fourth time that IRGC naval forces have arrested foreign forces. He did not elaborate on the previous times, but said twice before American sailors were apprehended and twice British sailors were apprehended.