By Larry Shaughnessy
U.S. sailors from a carrier strike group whose recent presence in the Persian Gulf drew the ire of Iranian military officials have rescued 13 of the Middle Eastern country's sailors from a hijacked fishing boat, a military spokesman said Friday.
The destroyer USS Kidd came to the aid of the ship Thursday in the North Arabian sea, near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, according to the Navy, which made a concerted effort Friday to let the world know of the help it gave the Iranians.
The rescue prompted the captain of the freed ship to offer his "sincere gratitude," according to Josh Schminky, a Navy Criminal Investigative Service agent aboard the Kidd.
"He was afraid that without our help, they could have been there for months," said Schminky
The rescue Thursday came two days after Iran said the United States should not send any more warships into the Persian Gulf.
The USS John Stennis Strike Group, which includes the Kidd, moved out of the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz last week, prompting Brig.
Gen. Ahmad Vahidi to warn that "there is no need for the forces belonging to the countries beyond this region to have a presence in the Persian Gulf," according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.
"Their presence does nothing but create mayhem, and we never wanted them to be present in the Persian Gulf," Vahidi said.
According to the Navy, a helicopter from the Kidd spotted a suspect pirate boat alongside the Iranian vessel. At the same time, the Kidd received a distress call from the captain of ship, the Al Molai, saying he and his crew were being held captive by pirates.
A team from the Kidd boarded the Al Molai, took 15 suspected pirates into custody and freed 13 Iranian hostages, the Navy said.
The suspected pirates, mostly Somalis, were taken to the Stennis to be held until a decision is made about prosecution, Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby said Friday.
Pirates hijacked the Al Molai 40 to 45 days ago, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement. The crew was "held hostage, with limited rations and we believe were forced against their will to assist the pirates with other piracy operations," according to the statement.
The Navy team provided food, water and medical care to both the suspected pirates and the crew of the Al Molai after securing the ship and ensuring everyone was safe, Schminky said.
The crew had "been though a lot," he said.
"We went out of our way to treat the fishing crew with kindness and respect," he said.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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I just find it funny how Iran spouts off about how it is capable of closing the strait! LMFAO!! But again it falls to the U.S. to rescue Iranian civilians from pirates!!!!! Tell you what i would hate to be the Iranian guy filmed hugging that American sailor!!!!! Im sure he's gonna have some explaining to do! Have no fear Iran is week they know this! Hence all the posturing! Their hatred will consume them !
I know this isn't exactly on-topic, but its amusing to me how anyone with a different opinion, well-stated, well thought-out or not, becomes an idiot, moron, fool... whatever. People blindly spout off in support of their government and revel in bashing anyone. Guess what... NEITHER government smells of roses. BOTH are guilty of some pretty atrocious things. BOTH are out-of-control. I'm American... but there are times I'm flat out embarrassed by that. Come on... we elected Bush ... three times! WTF was that? I'm sure there are Iranians that feel the same about their leadership.
I say we put everyone yelling, "Nuke 'em" in an arena with everyone that is yelling "Jihad!", give them guns, and let them go at it. Execute anyone that walks out alive.
And of course you know everything our "evil government" from Hollywood spy thrillers is doing/has done.No gov is made up of angels,but then who is an angel among us? But Iran man,where do you come from..outer space? At least we have elected fools freely and can write bs like yours without fear of being persecuted,or dissapearing into the desert.
Try and read,find something real out about the world you live in man.
Don't let the Great Satan fool you! Iran could take care of it, but they're busy right now. The Iranian Navy could crush the pirates, but they're busy blockading the east coast of the US. The Republican Guard could take care of it, but they're busy attacking Iranians working for foreign agents by claiming Iran isn't free. The religious leaders could pray the pirates into submission, but they're busy fondling 14 year old boys about to be hanged for homosexuality (talk about killing the competition).
America is mostly the good guy. Try the iranians or the rushians.
More psy-ops from the US war dept to fool ppl into thinking we're the "good guys"....lol
Do you try to be stupid or is it pure talent?
It's common knowledge that people who can only resort to insults and name-calling are actually the stupid ones. That's all they have in their limited span of intelligence.
Iran should thank the americans, stop thier pursuit of nukes and embrace peace
Iran must learn to abide by international. Iran should learn from the american example and free its citizens
Kudos the the US Navy for their integrity! Those Somali pirates remind me of "crackheads" back in NY in the 80's. lol.
The people of Iran is not the issue, its the government. The people are the same as you and I, Most a little missled, but still Humans. We can and will (if they start anything, kick the crap out of them, ( their military)) And leave it at that...
hay you american dont judge iranians with the action of iranians mullah bravo to american navy peace is the answer .
Ok...look up how many Iraqi/Iranian CIVILIANS we have killed. This once again shows that CNN tries to hide the evil behind what the U.S is really doing.
Zero. Your attempt to spin this has failed. quit being a beyatch and give credit where due.
Give credit where it's due you evil bastard.
This is clearly a stunt. While you were getting loaded the very law that basically wages war with Iran was passed. check out the NDAA SHEEPLE
It takes a purely evil regime or person to not appreciate this.
To the Irainian/fake american. I am proud to be an American and live and die in the country I love. All you Iranians run your mouth behind close doors. You hate America good for you! Go back to your sad existance in Iran and live in your little pathetic sand box. Iranians think your brave! Next time your out approach an American and disrespect our Country and I will be more than happy to break your face! Tired of Iranians running your mouth behind walls when you live in Our Country! Go back to your own or run your mouth like you do behind walls in Public and see how happy we will to help you out of the Greatest Country on Earth!!!
I wonder if their own people would do much to save them. Probabely not
Read good articles on http://www.ariespost.com
Hoops! you said: Agreed.
Will Iran say "Thank you" ?
The answer is: NO, because they don't know what is that. Or they will say it never happen.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/07/iran-hails-us-rescue-sailors-as-humanitarian-and-positive-act/
Or if you perfer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16455164
Iran describes US Navy rescue as 'humanitarian'
Next time it will be the Mossad saving them from captivity inside Tehran!
How ironic that Iran orders us out of the gulf and we rescue an Iranian boat crew just a few days later.
Please let us all be our brothers keeper no matter what,just as the united states nevy has shown us..
Ron Paul 2012
So, the "Great Satan" rescued Iranians from their fellow Muslims. For Iran to twist this story would be a new low, even for them.
It will be interesting to hear the official statement out of Iran. I don't even know if it's come out yet.
Let's see...What do we do with THIS ONE ??? Hmmmm....This is a toughie !
I know ! Let's just say it never happened !
As I posted before:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16455164
Iran describes US Navy rescue as 'humanitarian'
Good. IF Iran doesn't immediately relase the Americans it has in custody, feed the rescued Iranians to the sharks.
I agree with you, and the Iranian government is preparing to say that it never happend. I wonder: why the Iranian navy did not go there to the rescue, confronting the pirates, and they have the nerve to warn the US Navy, that's just unbelievable!.
Actually my background is architecture and I sometimes sell latex condoms-on the side. -Art
You still live with your parents too, right ? Don't chince on the envelopes !
I just booked my Apple Vacation Iran mountian hiking trip. I assume its safe to do this now, right? -Art
Art, Is that Vanalay Import / Export or just Import ? If you go hiking over there, God love ya !
Propaganda
You're an idiot.
If you say so it must be true.
You are correct
What I don't understand is, when the Navy sees what is obviously a pirate ship, why don't they just go ahead and (in the immortal words of Bugs Bunny) "blow it to smithereenies" ???
Wonderful. I think that is precicely what America stands for and unfortunately we have not seen much of the good we do lately. We need more of such actions to show the world our moral compass. With such actions Obama looks good.
THE MIDDLE EAST OF FULL OF LIARS I WORK WITH THEM , THEY TELL WILD STORIES THEIR SO ILL BREAD THEIR NUTS, THEY CANT GET ALONG BECAUSE THEY ALL ARE LIARING TO ONE ANOTHER, WE NEED TO BUG OUT , THEY WILL DESTROY THEMSELVES, WE DONT NEED THEM WE HAVE ENOUTH OIL FOR ANOTHER 400 YEARS
if the likes of you is representing America then no wonder the whole world hates you LOL
NUKE THE MIDDLE EAST ( NO MORE PROBLEMS )
And what about all the innocents. when you say nuke them you are talking about killing people that have no control over what their leaders do. the old the lame the innocents. ( baby's ).
Oh there there ! Nobody's going to get nuked now, okay ? Now, you go back to sleep and I'm going to turn the light out, okay ? Did you say your prayers ? Okay, good night then...
You say that like America has control over its government. roflmao Voting in America == betting on WWE
You moron! That would be mass murder. Oh, and by the way the whole world is reading this so thanks for scaring the crap out of a lot of people. Now they'll want nukes too.
Hospitality, hum? Much as Iran is famous for having the highest executions per capita in its region. Wait! I misspelled "world". Any nation that allows stoning to be a form of capital punishment has much to improve, on a variety of levels.
As per our Navy, and what they did, kudos on a job well done. We, the people, expect the best; continue to provide it, gentlemen.
Do you think we should hold these sailors hostage?? That is what Iran would do!!l Maybe they are secret agents!! Remember Mr President "NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED!"
Straight Up!
@jeremy, such ignorance on why everybody dont like you. Go back to school and study your history so you'll understand, dimwits and nincompoops are dime a dozen in America!!!
What did he say that you find inacurrate ?
@iconoclast, your country sucks, what is there to be proud of? You're a 3rd world country pretending to be rich!!!
* inaccurate * sorry !
This is a good example of why the US follows the laws of war; no matter if the person(s) in distress are either ally or enemy, the US will do its utmost to help them. The sad thing is that Iran didn't have the capacity to help their own merchant mariners fight off pirates, even when their military (as strong as they claim it to be) couldn't even help them- what does that say about the Iranian military...?
what wars have you been following? Vietnam and agent orange – Iraq and Weapons of Mass Destrution, Abu Graib, torture... get real pighead – your country commits the most horrendous acts of behavior – just like any other country does or would.
Obviously your name is fake. But our country is great because in the big picture you look like a turd in comparison.
As a Navy vet it wouldn't surprise me that we are capable of such a task but one has to ask how did this transpire. Did the sailors board the ship with no resistance,were Navy seals used,the ship in question was being held by pirates for over a month when did the distress call go out. Is there any third party to verify the accounts. I'm just asking trust but verify.
I could take the entire Iranian Navy out with a rubber raft and slingshot. Watching them threaten our warships is like watching a tiny Chihuahua barking wildly at a bemused pitbull.
I wonder about some of those same things. The article says our Sailors were able to basically board the pirate ship, take over and free the Iranians. And nobody got hurt ? Seems like one or two Iranians might have been blown away down below. Should be interesting to read the official reports.
This is Americans everyday helping the ones that hate us. We should stop helping for once and see what happens around the world . I am sure China , Iran , Russia , north Korea won't do half what Americans do for others .
pighead – this is a publicity stunt – propaganda at its best – all ships being attacked should be saved from pirates – regardless of sex, nationality, sexual preference and possibly what cargo they are carrying? Thank God we have America – a country with a touch of humanity but very good at killing.
Publicity stunt? I'll have you know that the U.S. Navy is the world's number 1 supporter of freedom of the seas, and this hostage rescue was done, not for publicity, but because it was the right thing to do.
Hey Gregpeck, why don't you do some research and look at who is the number one conrtibuter worldwide for humanitarian aid to third world countries? When disaster strikes, who is there first with the most money to help? Look at the Haiti Earthquake, 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and the Chilean Earthquake a while back. The U.S. always donates more food, medical supplies and money than everyone else in the world.
Wait just a minute ! I thought KSA was the most generous in terms of humanitarian assistance ! Somebody's telling fibs !
It clearly is a stunt. Read the NDAA that was passed while you were getting loaded on NYE. This is just to show te world we "didn't" really want to have to go
To
War with them
Jeremy, you are WRONG. Iranians are KNOWN for their hospitality, but what do you expect from them when we are threatening them daily with "nuclear annihilation"?!!! I don't understand your logic. Iranians are the same people who freed the Jews in Babylon when the Egyptian Pharaohs were enslaving them and holding them down. IRONICALLY they stand up for the Palestinian People, and oppressed people AGAINST the same People they once freed from slavery. THEY'RE called villains by the West for it. So be it.
You smoke crack don't you?
He's absolutely right. no, he's not on crack. everyone's blinded by truth. Yes, Iran is wrong on many counts. But no, the US and Israel were in the wrong first. How many times has Tehran tried to make better relations with Washington? How many times?!?
Iran will probably not even say thank you, then put their own fishermen on trial.
seems words like sorry and thank you are missing from both sides of the fence.... I love you would be more appropriate
Seems like its missing from one side only.
If the shoe was on the other foot, the Iranians would have put the Americans on trial. Of course, I don't think at any time in recorded history have the Iranians been accused of helping anyone. In fact, I don't think there is a word in their language (gibberish) for "help".
Hold them hostage in exchange for Americans held in Iran.
There are no Americans held in Iran. Why don't you 'first' read and learn what you want to comment about. THEN come back to this board and POST. You waste people's time having them take time to read this dribble.
America does good because we have freedom and i am happy the war ended
You are wrong American/Iranian. Amir Mirzai Hekmati, an American of Iranian decent and former US Marine, is currently being held in Iran on charges of espionage. Who knows if he is really working for the CIA or just visiting extended family, but YOU should first read and learn before posting.
However, using their citizens rescued at sea as leverage is absolutely out of the question.
Amir Mirzai Hekmati is being held on espionage charges... yes this is true. Mr. Hekmati DID NOT enter Iran as an American with an American passport. Mr. Hekmati entered Iran with an Iranian passport. And yes you are absolutely right that he is proven till guilty. And he is going through the process. When I travel to Iran, I do not enter Iran with my US password, but with my Iranian passport, mostly for convenience of not having to go through their grueling visa process for Americans. At these times I FULLY AM AWARE that in Iran I am NOT an American, but an Iranian that is subject to "Iranian" laws. This holds true for Mr. Hekmati as it would hold true for any of the 80 million Iranians. I DO read. Do you???
You are smoking ashish or some other kind of weed, right now don't you?
you sound so clever – like a criminal mind bent on evil.
Gregpeck = troll.
But you must never harm a mocking bird...
they released the hostages back in 82 – you know the Oliver North Story? Another American hero.
If I may interject I believe it was January 1981, just hours before Ronald Regan officially moved into Pennsylvania Avenue.
Carl: Americans don't do that, there is a big difference; they are Mus. an this is America, the fishermen should be freed.
Now thats the sort of work that can be called policing. Good work!
Ditto
Am proud to be in the world where America is and will always be in control because America means FEEDOM not CAPTIVITY nor SLAVRY. GOD bless America
bla, bla, bla!
You don't like it here? Then go home! Don't come here and utilize our resources and then go disrespecting us. Go back to Iran you ungrateful wretch.
Iconoclast, you flag-waving tailor-trash without me paying taxes in this country you and yours wouldn't have the food stamps that is keeping half of you alive! You ungrateful SOB! Besides who made you king to decide for "this American", you punk!
First of all I didn't "come here" I was born here. Secondly what RESOURCES are you talking about at your trailer park??? It is LOSERS like you that think you are "entitled". And you are, EVERY morning you get to shine my shoes on my way to work. You are "entitled" to that! Otherwise food stamps!! You are no American, you are a POS.
Obviously propagandists have nothing to say so they are just trying to divert attention from this.
Is that Farsi?
Down with FEEDOM and SLAVRY! Kudos on at least spelling CAPTIVITY right.
This smells staged... propaganda machines at work.
Yes, we in the Navy have nothing better to do than hire a few dozen actors to hang out in an old POS fishing boat and then stage a rescue, complete with pictures, interviews, and press releases. It's not like we're busy trying to defend the sea lanes while we're surrounded by countries that want to kill us. Retard.
Yes idiot, because there have NEVER been Somali pirate incidents in that area... Fool.
Oh okay, I see ! So there's never been a first time for any event to take place ? How could I be so stupid ? I hope you'll forgive me !
On second thought it would appear that you are in fact the idiot on that question, aren't you ?
Muz pirates attack fellow muz ship and who comes to the rescue – other fellow muz? Why the filthy infidel doesl! Oh, the irony
April fools..
Is it April 1st, you nitwit??? I just want to thank my country the US for saving these Iranians from the pirates. You make me PROUD to be an American! THANK YOU!!
save the whales and the baby seals – save the environment – now maybe they can help the poor people around the world.
American Iranian: you are not a real American, you sound like another POS mus; in other words you SMELL LIKE MY YOU KNOW WHAT!...
It is USS Kidd again. At last something useful is done...
Looks like Iranian NAVY too busy with their exercises.
As for the pirates: did they ever bother to read a newspaper or watch TV or listen radio or go on Internet? Hello? It is meant to be the largest US NAVY build up in the area in the midst of Iranian NAVY build up. Serious dudes do serious tough talk? Did not you get it? Hijacking a ship in the presence of all these warships... it is like a bumping into a police car from the rear. Kind of stupid.
Ok can you say Irony...The USS Kidd was originally Built and was to be delivered to the Iranian Navy back in the '70s Originally named Kouroush, the ship was ordered by the Shah of Iran, but was undelivered when the 1979 Iranian Revolution occurred. Subsequent to this, the U.S. Navy elected to commission the Kidd class for service in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean, as they were equipped with heavy-duty air conditioning and were also well suited to filtering sand and the results from NBC warfare. Kidd-class ships were known in the fleet informally as the "Ayatollah" or "dead admiral" class.
Ooopppp's Wrong USS Kidd....
This particular USS Kidd is otherwise known as DDG-100, it is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
Still, it is ironic.
Just in from Tehran: Capitalist US Navy kidnaps 13 Iranian fisherman who were conducting business with a third party!
Thanks for the good laugh Jack63!
Man that is FUNNY !!!
Jack 63: I believe that!, or something like: American infidels hijacked 13 Iranian fisherman in the right moment when they were to pray to Ala.
Can we say.....
Successful troll.....
is.....
SUCCESSFUL!
i think iran and america should just go with peace treaty so we dont have anymore conflict with them because they threaten us saying there gana send war ships over hear and they shot our drone down which we have done nothing to piss the iranies off soo we should make a peace treaty
Now "that" would be CHANGE! I couldn't wish for anything more. It has been exhausting being torn between the TWO COUNTRIES I LOVE watching them bicker back and forth for the last 33 years. I am EXHAUSTED, can we please try PEACE for a "change"! Who knows we might even like it!
It really goes to show you just how kind and compassonate the American people are to come to the aid of a group of people who are supposedly their enemy. Its also very sad how the Iranian goverment who wips their people into a fury chanting death to America and flouting the rest of the world by building weapons of mass destruction can't and wont even aid its own people in their time of need. It goes to show that the U.S. dosn't want to destroy Iran's people and want to aid them but the regime needs to face reality and start working with the international community instead of shutting them out. Also I would like to point out that the Kidd was involved in an altercation with the the Iranian navy ship Avland were the Avland actually pointed its aft gun mount at the Kidd so that goes to show the character and compassion the U.S. military has for the people of the world.
Don't confuse the government of Iran with the people of Iran.
Im not I know that the people of Iran want to live in peace and friendship with all the people of the world. However the Iranian goverment needs to abandon this rouge state atitude they have been using for decades and join the global community so we can all have peace and democracy.
Where is the mighty Iran Islamic Revolution Guards Corps? They talk big and bad but can't save their own from a bunch of spear chuckin pirates
Agreed.
American/ Iranian: finally you said something more dissent "Agree" congrats. You are doing better.