Two Riverine Command Boats participate in a bi-lateral exercise with Kuwait naval forces in the Arabian Gulf in November 2015. Photo by MCS/2 Torrey W. Lee/U.S. Navy
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Thursday said nine people are facing disciplinary action after a January incident in which U.S. Navy personnel were taken captive by the Iranian government.
The review of the incident came after a five-month investigation. It found significant mistakes made by the officers and sailors as two patrol boats traveled from Kuwait to Bahrain through the Persian Gulf and was captured as they strayed into Iranian waters. The investigation said the voyage was not properly planned, left four hours late, the lack of upkeep of the boats caused a critical mechanical failure and onshore staff did not properly track the route of the boats.
The Navy personnel were not even aware they entered Iranian waters, the review said. They were captured in an incident which nearly caused harm to the nuclear arms deal with Iran, and were released after 16 hours. Secretary of State John Kerry said at the time their release came because of diplomatic channels prompted by the arms deal negotiations; despite Republican Party outrage in the United States over the treatment of the sailors, Kerry expressed gratitude to Iranian authorities "for their cooperation and quick response."
The review said Iran was correct to investigate why the boats were near Iranian territory, but senior U.S. defense officials added international law was violated when Iranian military personnel boarded and seized the boats, pointed guns at the U.S. sailors as they videotaped and interviewed them, and damaged equipment aboard the vessels.
Those recommended for discipline include three boat crew members, commanding and executive officers of the naval squadron, and two members of the shore support staff, an official familiar with the review told the Navy Times.
Two U.S,. Navy officers have been fired thus far for their involvement in the incident.
