Washington: A US Coast Guard cutter has rescued six Iranian mariners from the North Arabian Gulf after the engine of the ship started malfunctioning, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
"A US Coast Guard cutter, assigned to commander task force 55 rescued six Iranian mariners from the North Arabian Gulf," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters during an interaction with reporters.
The rescue occurred at about 3 am local time on Monday, and the Coast Guard Cutter came to the rescue of the Iranians after they sought help with the help of flash lights, he said.
The Iranians sustained injuries, including burn injuries. They are now being treated abroad the US Coast Guard cutter.
On Thursday, a US Navy destroyer had rescued thirteen Iranians, more than 40 days after their boat was commandeered by suspected Somali pirates in the northern Arabian Sea.
The rescue came just days after TIran warned the US to keep its warships out of the Persian Gulf, an irony not lost on American officials who trumpeted the news.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 22:43