Amid all of the threats and warnings between the United States and Iran, a U.S. Navy destroyer has rescued an Iranian fishing boat that had been held for more than 40 days by suspected pirates.
U.S. officials say the USS Kidd was sailing in the Arabian Sea, after leaving the Persian Gulf, when it came to the aid of the Iranian sailors. The Navy says the Iranians had sent out a distress call. A Navy search and seizure team went by helicopter to the vessel, and met no resistance from the pirates, who surrendered quickly. The Iranians were given food, water and medical care.
A State Department spokeswoman says the sailors were "very grateful" to be rescued -- by one of the same American ships whose presence in the Strait of Hormuz had brought protests from Iran.
Iran's Army chief had warned in recent days that U.S. vessels are no longer welcome in the Gulf. Iran also warned that it could block the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that carries much of the oil pumped in the Middle East.
The captured pirates are still on board a U.S. aircraft carrier, while officials consider options for prosecuting them.
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