Ten U.S. sailors detained Tuesday after the boats they were in drifted into Iranian waters were released early Wednesday, according to reports from Tehran and the U.S. Navy. Investigators reportedly determined the sailors' entry into the area was accidental. Here's what we know now.
Updated 1:45 p.m. ET Wednesday -
While US officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, claim no apology was offered for the sailors' actions, Iran State TV aired a video that appears to show a sailor apologizing. US military officials have not confirmed the veracity of the video.
11:45 a.m. ET Wednesday -
Iranian state TV aired video that seems to show the moments when 10 U.S. sailors were taken into custody.
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Ten U.S. sailors detained Tuesday after the boats they were in drifted into Iranian waters were released early Wednesday, according to reports from Tehran and the U.S. Navy. Investigators reportedly determined the sailors' entry into the area was accidental.
Authorities were assured the crew and vessels would be returned safely and promptly after the incident was first reported Tuesday.
Wednesday morning, Secretary of State John Kerry said in remarks at the National Defense University that the actions Iran took was appropriate, and thanked Iran for handling the matter in an efficient and peaceful manner.
Here's what we know:
Two Navy craft detained by Iran
Ten sailors and two riverine boats were taken into Iranian custody Tuesday after their patrol boats drifted into the country's territorial waters, according to the Navy Times. The sailors were accused of trespassing near a major naval base. The two craft involved are riverine boats, which are small rigid-hull patrol boats used by both the U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy. SkyNews reported that 10 U.S. Navy sailors, nine men and a woman were detained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Sailors left Farsi Island early Wednesday
According to U.S. Navy officials, all 10 sailors departed from Farsi Island, off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf, just before 4 a.m. EST in the previously detained riverine boats. Navy aircraft transported the sailors to shore after they departed while other personnel took charge of both vessels.
Iran returned the sailors safe and sound
"We have been in contact with Iran and have received assurances that the crew and the vessels will be returned promptly," Cook said.
Navy officials confirmed Wednesday morning that there were "no indications that the sailors were harmed during their brief detention."
Ships were en route to Bahrain from Kuwait
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told The Associated Press the boats were moving between Kuwait and Bahrain when the U.S. lost contact with them.
U.S.: Mechanical problems caused boats to drift
Pentagon and State Department officials said one of the boats detained experienced mechanical problems before entering Iranian waters. The vessels were on a training mission. Adm. Ali Fadavi, of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said authorities determined a navigation-system failure led to the entry, the New York Times reported.
Secretary of State John Kerry learned of the incident around 12:30 p.m. ET
Kerry learned of the incident around 12:30 p.m. EST as he and Defense Secretary Ash Carter were meeting their Filipino counterparts at the State Department, the official said.
Please check back for updates.
