Iran navy saves US freighter from pirates!

[Douchebag]

Iran's navy said Thursday it saved an American-flagged cargo ship that was being attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Oman.

An Iranian warship responded to a distress signal from the US-flagged Maersk Texas, a cargo ship of 150 metres (500 feet) and 14,000 tonnes, which was besieged by "several pirate boats," the navy said in a statement reported by the official IRNA news agency.

The cargo vessel "was saved by the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran" on Wednesday, IRNA added.
The pirates "fled the scene as soon as they spotted the presence" of the warship. Maersk Texas "thanked the Iranian navy and sailed towards its destination safely," it added.
It was the first time the Iranian navy protected a US ship from pirates.

Maersk had sailed from the UAE port of Fujairah, south of the Strait Hormuz at the entrance of the Gulf, and was headed for the United States.

Iran's navy keeps a presence in Gulf of Oman to protect cargo ships and transiting oil tankers and also defend the country against potential threats.

According to Iranian commanders, Iran's navy have carried out hundreds of anti-piracy operations, engaging in hundreds of armed clashes with pirates in the past three years.

The US navy patrolling the area have on a number of occasions rescued Iranian ships. The latest incident was in January when a US warship secured the release of 13 Iranian fishermen near the entrance to the Gulf who had been held captive by pirates for 45 days.

http://news.yahoo.com/iran-navy-save...110142224.html

ah, this warms my heart.

[Heinz Guderian]

I hope they gave the rescued ship's sailors Revolutionary Guard Corps hats. Nice bit of PR there.

[s.rwitt]

Iran navy saves US freighter from pirates!

Not according to the "rescued" ship, they didn't.

[alhoon]

Not according to the "rescued" ship, they didn't.

I believe they did, since I doupt a merchant vessel could chase away many pirate vessels.

According to the article, it's not the first time that happens. USA has helped Persian ships and Persians have been chasing pirates off their coast for years.

[s.rwitt]

I believe they did, since I doupt a merchant vessel could chase away many pirate vessels.

According to the article, it's not the first time that happens. USA has helped Persian ships and Persians have been chasing pirates off their coast for years.

What possible reason would the owners of the cargo ship have to lie after being rescued? If anything they'd use it to solicit more protection from the US navy.

This would have been the first time that an Iranian ship rescued an American one. If it had actually happened, that is.

PS merchant shipping companies have been outfitting their ships with new gear meant to protect against piracy for years now. Even a cruise ship was able to drive off RPG armed pirates with non-lethal weapons designed for crowd dispersal.

[justicar5]

What possible reason would the owners of the cargo ship have to lie after being rescued? If anything they'd use it to solicit more protection from the US navy.

.

PR. Can't have a 'true american' saying anything good about Iran, the Tea Party and the republicans would lynch them.

[s.rwitt]

PR. Can't have a 'true american' saying anything good about Iran, the Tea Party and the republicans would lynch them.

Oh God, not another "the Republicans" rant.

But I'll play along. Why not take the opportunity to point to this, say "DO WE REALLY WANT THE IRANIANS PROTECTING OUR SHIPPING???" and push for more direct US Navy protection from The Republicans?

[TheDarkKnight]

PR. Can't have a 'true american' saying anything good about Iran, the Tea Party and the republicans would lynch them.

You really have absolutely nothing better to complain about in life, do you?

[Sir Pignans]

What possible reason would the owners of the cargo ship have to lie after being rescued? If anything they'd use it to solicit more protection from the US navy.

Possibly showing that the ship can protect itself, and as such, is more of a safe bet to use when using a cargo freighter.

'Hey, we can defend ourselves, you don't need to worry about using us to transport cargo!' sounds a lot better than 'Yeah. We were ed till those Iranians came along and saved us.'

[s.rwitt]

Possibly showing that the ship can protect itself, and as such, is more of a safe bet to use when using a cargo freighter.

'Hey, we can defend ourselves, you don't need to worry about using us to transport cargo!' sounds a lot better than 'Yeah. We were ed till those Iranians came along and saved us.'

That wouldn't fit in too well with their constant lobbying for more protection from the American government.

[Thorn777]

Not according to the "rescued" ship, they didn't.

Its a conspiracy?

Since when did you stop believing in official-statements?

[s.rwitt]

It must be hard to have to put so much effort into becoming relevant.

[Surgeon]

Foolish Iranians, can they not see this is a false-flag operation to draw them out? When their navy is spread thin chasing fake pirates their homeland will be defenseless against the American naval onslaught.

[Col. Tartleton]

I'd like to believe that the Iranians have made good in kind on the good will shown by the US, but I remain skeptical along with s.rwitt.

I'd like to think the Iranians are not hanging gays and stoning women, but hey...

[Mangalore]

I'd like to believe that the Iranians have made good in kind on the good will shown by the US, but I remain skeptical along with s.rwitt.

I'd like to think the Iranians are not hanging gays and stoning women, but hey...

Where is your conceptual problem with hanging pirates right next to gays or stoned women?That would be a sorrowful lack of imagination...

[NotYetRegistered]

There are pirates in the Gulf of Oman?

Well, GJ Iran.

[Thorn777]

We are all children of God, srwitt. We are all relevant.

[s.rwitt]

Except the Mohammedians.

[Thorn777]

Well, not exactly. The pope is keen on joining forces to battle secularism. Maybe he comes up with a new temp flame-pit for Muslims.

[DimeBagHo]

The OP provides insufficient basis for discussion. PM me if you want to improve this. Closed in the meantime.