US says Iran promised swift release of sailors
An incident in which US sailors were held by Iran in the Gulf waters comes at a particularly sensitive moment, as implementation day for last year's nuclear deal is expected within days.
Washington — US sailors aboard two small US naval vessels were held by Iran in Persian Gulf waters Jan. 12 after one of their boats experienced apparent mechanical trouble, but Iranian authorities have assured the United States that the sailors will be promptly released and allowed to continue their journey, the United States said.
The potentially provocative incident occurred as Iranian officials have been publicly signaling Iran is completing the final steps required in rolling back their nuclear program to launch implementation day of the Iran nuclear deal, possibly within the next week.
“Earlier today, we lost contact with two small US naval craft en route from Kuwait to Bahrain,” a senior US administration official, speaking not for attribution, said by email Jan. 12.
“We subsequently have been in communication with Iranian authorities, who have informed us of the safety and well-being of our personnel,” the US official said. “We have received assurances the sailors will promptly be allowed to continue their journey.”
