US Navy Rescues Another Iranian Sailor

The USS Firebolt, in conjunction with the US Coast Guard Cutter Maui, performed a search and rescue mission Sunday. They were able to save one Iranian fisherman. Unfortunately the rest of the crew had already been lost to sea or died from hypothermia and shock.

They were later joined in the search by the USS Pearl Harbor and two Seahawk helicopters. But the search had to be called off due to bad weather. The Iranian fisherman was transferred to an Iranian coast guard vessel, after receiving medical treatment.

This is far from the first time United States forces have been involved in rescuing Iranians. In fact, it is the third reported rescue of 2012. The first time Iran criticized the US for likely having caused the need for the rescue. The second they didn't really comment, which is likely to be the same result of this incident.

Tensions continue to build between Iran and the US, as Iran refuses to halt it's nuclear program. Sanctions by the US, and other countries, have been having increasing effect on Iran, but it is unclear if they'll ever be enough to stop Iran from it's apparent, though denied, goal of nuclear weapons.