The United States Navy and Coast Guard rescued five Iranian and two Indian sailors on Tuesday after the sailors “issued a mayday call for help” as an Iranian vessel was sinking in the Arabian Gulf.
U.S. Central Command shared a picture of the Iranian vessel involved in Tuesday’s incident in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Great work today by personnel aboard the U.S. Navy ship USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6) and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR (WPC 1147) in the Arabian Gulf,” U.S. Central Command stated. “They rescued seven mariners in distress who abandoned their vessel, M/V SHAYESTEH.”
U.S. Central Command identified the M/V Shayesteh as an Iranian vessel and noted that the ship was flying a Qatari flag at the time of the incident. According to U.S. Central Command, the display of the Qatari flag is “customary” when a vessel is in “territorial waters.”
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In Tuesday’s statement, U.S. Central Command explained that the Iranian M/V Shayesteh had a “significant list” and sent a “mayday call for help.”
“The M/V SHAYESTEH has since sunk,” U.S. Central Command added. “The five Iranian and two Indian mariners are safely onboard USCGC CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR and are receiving follow on medical care.”
The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard’s rescue of the Iranian and Indian sailors was quickly met with admiration on social media despite the current tension between the United States and Iran.
“Even in the midst of disagreements, America’s humanity takes priority,” one social media user tweeted. “God bless all of you.”
Another social media user wrote, “Acts of Humanity should and will always supercede political affiliation, even to those you deem as enemies. Bravo Zulo US Navy and US Coast Guard.” A third social media user referenced Iran’s pattern of hostility toward the United States, tweeting, “Betcha they weren’t shouting ‘Death to America.'”
Tuesday’s rescue in the Arabian Gulf was not the first time the United States military rescued Iranian sailors. Last August, U.S. Central Command announced that the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group rescued two Iranian sailors in international waters.
At the time, Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander said, “Aiding distressed mariners is a mission that our strike group will always stand ready to support. It is the right thing to do, and further demonstrates that the U.S. Navy is a force ready when called upon.”
