US Navy Sailors Held by Iran Are Released

Ten  U.S. sailors were taken into custody Tuesday for crossing into Iranian waters now free, according to Iran media outlets.

U.S. military officials say the two small U.S.vessels drifted into Iranian waters on Tuesday after one of them experienced mechanical problems. The other then followed to offer help.

"(The U.S. boats) entered three miles into Farsi Island's territorial waters and because of showing unprofessional acts, these forces were immediately detained by our naval combatants and were transferred to Farsi Island. They did not show much resistance," Gen. Ali Fadavi, Navy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, said.

U.S. naval ships often patrol the waters of the Persian Gulf near Iranian territory, a source of tension between the two nations.

Last month, an Iranian military vessel fired several unguided rockets near, but not at, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

After the two U.S. vessels were seized Tuesday, Iranian officials claim the Truman made provocative "maritime and aerial" moves for 40 minutes.

"It proves America's lack of commitment to maintain security and peace in the region despite what they claim," Fadavi said.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard says the soldiers were released after an investigation revealed that they were in fact in Iranian waters because of mechanical problems and not espionage.