Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IRAN’S GOVERNMENT HAS welcomed the US Navy’s rescue of 13 Iranian fishermen held by pirates, calling it a positive humanitarian gesture.
US officials announced Friday that the fishermen had been rescued by a US Navy destroyer on Thursday, more than 40 days after their boat was commandeered by suspected Somali pirates in the northern Arabian Sea. The rescue came just days after Tehran warned the US to keep the same group of warships out of the Persian Gulf in a reflection of Iran’s fear that American warships could try to enforce an embargo against Iranian oil exports.
“The rescue of Iranian sailors by American forces is considered a humanitarian gesture and we welcome this behavior,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying by state TV’s Al-Alam Arabic channel.
Iran’s hard-line Fars news agency had a different take, calling the rescue operation a Hollywood dramatisation of a routine event.
The Fars report noted that attacks by Somali pirates in the region are common and said that Iran’s navy has itself freed many mariners held by pirates in recent years without seeking to highly publicise it.
Amid escalating tension with Iran over its nuclear program, the Obama administration reveled in delivering Friday’s announcement and highlighted the fact that the rescuing ships were the same ones Iran’s army chief had just said were no longer welcome in the Persian Gulf.
“Basically, rescuing trading and fishing boats from the hands of pirates in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden is considered a completely normal issue,” Fars said. “A US helicopter filming the rescue operation from the first minute makes it look like a Hollywood drama with specific locations and actors. It shows the Americans tried to publicise it through the media and present the American warship as a savior.”
The semiofficial Fars news agency is considered close to Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard military force.
Fars reported in April that Iranian naval commandos had driven off pirates attempting to hijack a supertanker off Pakistan’s southwestern coast.
“Iran’s navy has rescued various foreign ships from the hands of pirates … but never publicised that,” it said.
Naval forces from several countries patrol shipping lanes in the region in pursuit of Somali pirates. The pirates, who are after huge ransoms, have dramatically expanded their range in recent years and targeted some of the largest vessels to take to the seas, including oil supertankers.
The episode occurred after a week of tough talk from Iranian leaders, including the statement that American vessels were no longer welcome in the Gulf. Iran also warned it could block the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which a sixth of the world’s oil flows to market.
The Iranian threats, which were brushed aside by the Obama administration, were in response to strong economic sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear enrichment program. A week ago, President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank and its ability to sell petroleum abroad.
At the same time, Iran has sought to project its naval power, carrying out 10 days of military drills at sea near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
On Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard began new war games near the Afghan border, according to the Guard’s website, sepahnews.com.
Mohammad Pakpoor, commander of the Guard’s ground force, said the maneuvers began outside Khaf, an eastern town near the border. He said the war games were aimed at strengthening Iran’s borders and increasing the combat readiness of the Guard’s ground force.
Iran is also planning new military exercises near the Hormuz Strait next month.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
R.I.P. but a worker with no flotation device, near water? Someone has to answer for this.
@Paul Culligan: Yes RIP, indeed. Why so quick to blame someone before the HSA or Gardai have established any facts? Your reaction typifies our collective attitude as a nation.
@Paul Culligan: if the poor man fell between a vessell and the pier wall most likely his flotation device inhibited his ability to move freely in a confined space. Either way makes no difference now. RIP and condolences to his family.
@Paul Culligan: yes his employer should have told him the dangers of water. But this is ireland so the Hsa is going to have an inquest no doubt. I hate accidents R.I.P.
@Paul Culligan: where does it say he wasn’t wearing a flotation device. He could have banged his head, suffered trauma to the body, with this weather and that early the water would have been freezing, etc. Wearing a flotation device doesn’t guarantee your survival if you find yourself in water.
@Ciarán McPhillips: couldn’t agree more
@Ciarán McPhillips: I’ll get back to you on that one.
Surprised they took him to the mater. I would have thought the port would have to have some sort of medical facility on site.
@The Dublinist: Major hospital 5 minutes away or a docks medical centre. Which would you prefer?
@Heffos Army: Considering the wait and staffing issues in the hospitals at the moment a dockside medical center probably wouldn’t look too bad…
@Jason: is being stupid something you practice Jason?
A tragic case which brings back bad memories of a similar accident while working in the construction if the linkspans (roll on, roll off) about ten years ago. It is often the case that people dont follow safety procedures resulting in harm. Tragic either way
@ChuckE: We have no idea what happened here. Can we please wait before we pass or suggest any cause. Accidents happen. The circumstances described here are not unusual. Water can be a very unforgiving environment. Deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones.
RIP.
have your say