Initial Report by the U.S. Army on the Arrest and Release of Sailors

The United States Army, in an initial report regarding the detention and release of 10 of its Navy sailors by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Persian Gulf, stated that all belongings of the seized boats, except for the SIM cards of two satellite phones, have been returned. The report published by the 'Central Command', which oversees U.S. operations in West and North Asia, does not answer key questions such as the sailors' entry into Iranian waters. However, the Central Command emphasized that the published report is an initial account of events from January 12 to 13, and 'investigations conducted by the Navy Command on January 14 will provide more detailed information about the incidents.' According to the Associated Press, investigations are focused on the treatment of the detainees, including the possibility of any interrogation by Iran. Previously, Ash Carter, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, stated that investigations indicate that the U.S. Marines entered Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf due to a 'navigational error.' However, it remains unclear how this 'navigational error' occurred. According to the initial report, they were on small boats referred to as 'Riverine' boats; 'the planned route was below the midpoint of the Persian Gulf and only in the waters of Kuwait and Bahrain, and not any other country.' They refueled in international waters. According to the initial report, 10 minutes after refueling, the Central Command base in Bahrain received a report that Iran had posed questions to the sailors. Images released by Iran show the detained sailors. 26 minutes later, communication between the American base in Bahrain and the sailors was cut off. At that time, a large-scale operation to locate them began. The Americans attempted to communicate with units stationed on Farsi Island. They informed the Iranian Coast Guard of the situation by phone. Hours later, an American warship received a message from Iran regarding the detention of the sailors. It was reported that at one point, one of the boats experienced a technical problem, and the sailors stopped to address the issue. After that, Iranian forces arrived; first two armed small boats and then two military vessels. There were disputes between the two sides, but no shots were fired; the sailors were detained, and their boats were seized. The detention of the American sailors and the seizure of their boats occurred just hours before Barack Obama's final annual speech regarding the 'state of the nation' and coincided with a wave of criticism from a group of Republicans, including presidential candidates. The sailors were released one day after their detention, and their boats were also returned. In this context, the Revolutionary Guards: American sailors were released. Joe Biden: America did not apologize to Iran for the sailors. The reflection of the detention of American sailors in the Republican debate. Changing the playing field of 'proxies'; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. Trump: I hope there is no need for further action regarding Iran; they were killing people recklessly. The shadow of war over Tehran; 'Trump is seeking decisive military options against Iran.' Trump says if the Islamic Republic attempts to assassinate him, 'it will be wiped off the face of the earth.' Trump emphasizes 'stopping executions in Iran': we do not know what will happen in the future. A senior American official: The Trump administration is closely monitoring the case of Reza Valizadeh.