The rescue operation took place on Thursday, when forces with the USS John C. Stennis carrier strike group received a distress call from the master of the Al Molai, an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, who said he was being held captive by pirates.
The US forces also detected a suspected pirate skiff alongside the Al Molai. The pirates had apparently been using the vessel as a "mother ship" to conduct operations.
"The Al Molai had been taken over by pirates for roughly the last 40-45 days," Josh Schminky, a Navy criminal investigative service agent aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd, said in a statement.
"They were held hostage, with limited rations, and we believe were forced against their will to assist the pirates with other piracy operations," he said.
At the Pentagon, spokesman Captain John Kirby said the crew of 15 pirates, all believed to be Somalis, were now being detained aboard the Stennis.
The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Tehran, and the State Department said there had been no official communication with Iran about the rescue, which it described as a "humanitarian gesture."
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing that the United States was reviewing options for prosecuting the pirates.
"We're consulting with international partners. You know, sadly, this is not a new thing. We have more than 1,000 pirates who've been picked up at sea who are under prosecution in some 20 countries. So this is always a question of where to send them and who will do the prosecution," she said.
Iran ratcheted up tensions earlier this week by threatening to take action if the Stennis returned to the Gulf after departing on December 27.
Army chief Major General Ataollah Salehi said on Tuesday: "I recommend and emphasize to the American carrier not to return to the Persian Gulf ... we are not in the habit of warning more than once."
Iran announced plans on Friday to hold new naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz next month, the latest in a series of forceful gestures in the world's most important oil shipping lane.
It was not clear whether Iran's navy was aware of the rescue operation but the freed Iranian hostages, now on their way back home, had thanked the US crew, the Navy said.
"The captain of the Al Molai expressed his sincere gratitude that we came to assist them. He was afraid that without our help, they could have been there for months," said Schminky.
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@US CENTCOM: My heartiest thanks to you and your team for a job well done.
Ahmed Shuja Pasha DG-Inter-Services Intelligence http://www.isi.org.pk/
The United States Navy did not rescue Iranian fishermen as a publicity stunt. This incident underscores our steadfast commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation around the world, as well as our ongoing commitment to working with our international partners to combat piracy. The presence of U.S. Navy ships in this region promotes freedom of navigation and protects the safety of those who transit the sea.
Did you know that since 2009, the United States has worked with 70 nations and international organizations as part of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia? Among its accomplishments, the Contact Group has:
• Facilitated Coordination of International Naval Patrols: the operational coordination of an unprecedented international naval effort from more than 30 countries working together to protect transiting vessels. The United States coordinates with other multilateral coalitions such as NATO through Operation Ocean Shield and the European Union through Operation ATALANTA in these efforts. The United States also looks to further develop counter-piracy cooperation with the full range of nations deploying to the international counter-piracy mission.
• Promoted Shipping Self-Protection: Partnered with the shipping industry to improve practical steps merchant ships and crews can take to avoid, deter, delay, and counter pirate attacks, including the private armed security. The shipping industry’s use of Best Management Practices and other counter-piracy guidance has proven to be the most effective deterrents against pirate attacks.
• Championed Regional Capacity-Building: Strengthened the capacity of Somalia and other countries in the region to combat piracy and prosecute suspected pirates through the UN Trust Fund Supporting Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia; and
• Targeted the Pirate Business Model: Launched a new initiative aimed at disrupting the pirates’ enterprise ashore, including its associated financial networks ashore through approaches similar to those used to target other types of organized transnational criminal networks.
I must remind our readers that this is not a unique phenomenon. In a similar rescue by the USS Bainbridge involved an Iranian fishing vessel held by pirates back in March 2011. Earlier last year the US navy had rescued a standard Pakistani ship which had run out of food and water after drifting on high seas for days with disabled engines. Further details of the rescue of Iranian vessel, Al Molai, are available here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/world/middleeast/iranians-tell-of-six-weeks-of-fear-with-somali-pirates.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all
Maj David Nevers DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
@antanu
Why don't you ask the Iranian's --- they have already said "thank you". The fact of the matter is that the American's rescued these fishermen - gave them fuel, food, water and even some American sailor hats bearing the emblem of the same aircraft carrier that Iranians were threatening.
@ antanu this drama has many players. The Somali pirates, Iranian fisherman, world navies, and oil. If the U.S. was willing to start a war with the Soviets during the cold war, what do you think they would do now if Iran tries to block the strait. Iran couldn't rescue its own fisherman held for a month. Yes there is propaganda involved but its not a drama played by one side.
@antanu: This is the real deal. People in need of help and people responding to their needs.
instead of reading the news...its more fun to read the comments on every news article....it clearly shows how most if not all pakistani ppl are brainwashed and so much gripped into conspiracy theories
if the news wud have been...AMERICANS KILL IRANIAN HOSTAGES....one can always expect comments like....wat else do u expect from americans
n now if theres something positive....its a drama....paid US agents....funny isnt it??
@antanu....still waiting for ur ONLY FOR HINDUS ONLY FOR MUSLIM restaurant photos in "INDIA"
@BlueSteel....r u a pakistani??...if yes...even though being an indian....i see some hope in pakistan's future
n please dont reply like....go luk at the comments on indian newspapers n blah blah...indians are gripped by NEGATIVITY and PESSIMISM bt not self convincing conspiracy theories
This is the real thing. Remember... There are good and there bad Americans, so they do send a mixed message in the world I know. I'm glad that the Iranians on this ship were able to be helped by some of the good Americans.
Its hard to trust US, who knows the pirates were not their paid agents?
this might be a drama played by US,
Just to show that history is a twist of events beyond human control. Hopefully, a thank you might come from Tehran to ease the tension. Never know. I am optimistic.