Iran Detains Navy Boats and Personnel
January 12, 2016: Following the release of ten captured US Navy personnel from Iranian custody on Wednesday, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials have been quick to push a starkly anti-US narrative, taking the opportunity to boast of Iranian military supremacy and might.
“The incident [yesterday] in the Northern Persian Gulf once again displayed the vigilance and preciseness of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces against the Americans’ movements in the region and taught them how vulnerable they are against the Islamic Republic’s power,” stated General Hassan Firoozabadi.
Firoozabadi also contended that Americans would now be in “a disaster if not for the good-will” of IRGC commanders.
Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi of the IRGC made comments regarding the incident as well, stating that “.” He hailed Iran’s supposed restraint in the situation, capitalizing on the opportunity to posture Iran in a dominant military position.
Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi of the IRGC made comments regarding the incident as well, stating that “any unprofessional action by US forces could have led to a catastrophe.” He hailed Iran’s supposed restraint in the situation, capitalizing on the opportunity to posture Iran in a dominant military position.
The capture of the marines occurred on Tuesday, after the Iranian Navy found three US Navy ships allegedly three nautical miles deep into Iranian waters. According to IRGC statements, two US and French aircraft carriers as well as accompanying fleets and military choppers started maneuvering around Iranian waters following the capture.
Press TV Shows American personnel held at gunpoint during detainment of US Navy boats (Video Credit: PressTV)
Statements released by the IRGC blamed the US flotilla for its “excited and unprofessional moves”, contrasting that with the “powerful and wise moves” on the part of the Iranians in the situation.
This recent Iranian antagonism has taken place within the context of post-nuclear deal US-Iranian relations—however, anti-American posturing on the part of the Iranians appears to remain largely unchanged and hostile.
In separate statements on Tuesday, Fadavi asserted that “If any country thinks of military confrontation against the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is either looking for a way to commit suicide and being annihilated or it has become mad and drunken and has developed dementia.” He went on to underline the progress in development of building weapons and military equipment, raising doubts about relations between the US and Iran further yet.
